The first afternoon of the Derby festival passed without any disturbance on Friday but Epsom racecourse will again be on high alert on Saturday, when activists from the group Animal Rising have threatened to disrupt the meeting with the ultimate aim of forcing the Derby to be abandoned for the first time in its 244-year history.
The same group failed to carry out a similar threat to stop the Grand National at Aintree in April, although the race was delayed for about 15 minutes after a small number of protesters scaled a fence and attempted to attach themselves to a fence.
Epsom, however, is a more difficult area to secure as there is a public right of access to much of the downland area where the racecourse is situated and thousands of spectators watch for free each year from the Hill enclosure in the middle of the track.
The track has spent an additional £150,000 on security measures and notices have been placed at regular intervals on the fence around the one-and-a-half-mile Derby course, warning potential protesters that they could be liable for substantial damages, or even imprisonment for contempt of court, if they breach an injunction awarded to the Jockey Club, which owns and operates the track, in the high court last week.
Members of Animal Rising have said they are prepared to defy the injunction, however, while the group is also inviting its supporters to take part in what it describes as “an alternative festival of family friendly fun, food and games” on a site outside the main entrance to the racecourse.
“While it’s extremely challenging to secure a site like Epsom Downs, Surrey police have been and continue to be incredibly supportive and the security operation in place on Derby Day will be like no other we have seen in the event’s history,” Nevin Truesdale, the Jockey Club’s chief executive, said on Friday.
“Sadly, this has come with a significant extra cost attached to it, which is hugely disappointing for an organisation which reinvests all its profits back into the sport, including to benefit the welfare of our equine athletes. There is no doubt that this money could have been better spent, were it not for the determination of Animal Rising to put at risk the safety of the horses running on the day, human participants, thousands of racegoers, officials and our own employees.
“Anyone who breaches security will be in contempt of court and we will deal with those responsible robustly.”
Saturday’s race has been moved to an unusually early off-time of 1.30pm to avoid a clash with the FA Cup final at Wembley at 3pm, which is also being televised live by ITV.
Frankie Dettori’s mount Arrest, his last ride in the race before he retires from the saddle this year, could set off as the favourite after the rider won two big races, including the Oaks, at the track on Friday.
