The Jockey Club, which operates Epsom racecourse, has applied for an injunction to prevent the protest group Animal Rising engaging in “acts intended to disrupt the Derby Festival” when the track stages both the Oaks and the Derby on 2 and 3 June.
Activists from Animal Rising attempted to prevent the Grand National at Aintree going ahead last month, and the start of the race was delayed by 15 minutes. More than 100 activists were arrested before and after the race took place. Up to 100,000 spectators are expected at Epsom next month, including tens of thousands who will watch for free from the “Hill” enclosure in the middle of the track.
