Jockey Club outlines 'exclusion zone' plan to ensure Derby can be run at Epsom

Details of the Jockey Club's plans for running the Derby and Oaks behind closed doors have emerged after it submitted a proposal to the local council detailing how it would stage the two Classics at Epsom ahead of a crucial council meeting next week.

The Jockey Club has requested special dispensation from the local Epsom and Ewell council in order to run the two Classics. A council meeting will discuss giving approval to the plans on Tuesday evening with the critical issue surrounding the closure of the Downs, a public space, for the day.

One key local councillor has given the plans a cautious welcome but suggested more work needs to be done to gain public support.

Under the 1984 Epsom & Walton Downs Act, the land is a public right of way but the Jockey Club's submission points out that the act also details the Downs should not "confer with the ability to hold race meetings". The Jockey Club is now seeking an agreement to close the Downs on a Saturday in July – but potentially also for a day in August – with the Classics provisionally scheduled for July 4.

The Jockey Club's plans confirm races would be staged at a similar time to usual, between 2pm and 5.50pm. The Oaks and Derby would be run on the Saturday along with five other races.

Epsom: under the 1984 Epsom & Walton Downs Act, the land is a public right of wayCredit: Edward Whitaker

In order to stage the meeting, the racecourse will in effect create a huge exclusion zone. The Jockey Club has requested closure of footpaths running through the Downs and the site to be sealed off with fencing and pedestrian barriers, maintained with strict stewarding. This would be between 12.01am to 11.59pm but horses would be permitted to gallop on the track that morning.

The Jockey Club warns in its submission that if it was unable to stage the Derby and Oaks, the rest of Epsom's fixture list for 2020 would be in doubt.

David Gulland, Liberal Democrat councillor for Epsom and Ewell, suggests the Jockey Club needs to provide more clarity for local residents as to why they would be restricted access.

Speaking on BBC Radio Surrey this morning, Gulland said: "The Derby is important – and I'm really pleased the Jockey Club is trying to find an innovative way of having it – but we need to think about the wider issues, obviously the health aspect.

"The plans seem sensible on paper and if the Jockey Club explains why it has to go ahead in this way, the local residents will support it – if it's done the right way. But it needs the open communication as to why it has to be done this way.

"The paper is quite broad, it explains why the race has to happen to support the whole industry but it doesn't go into detail about why that's the case. I imagine it has to do with TV money or prize-money and the sponsorship, and that makes sense. It gives it a bit more transparency and, with more evidence as to why it has to happen in this manner, then I'm sure people will support it."

Gulland added: "What we don't want is the appearance that it's happening to suit a small section of the community. Also, we don't want to encourage people to gather in groups when it's not yet healthy to do so.

"Nobody knows what the health situation will be in July or August and, even if it is fenced off, there's a danger that people will be attracted up there. It's a huge open area. We don't want to encourage behaviour which might not be appropriate, even in July or August. We just don't know yet."

Anthony Van Dyck: winner of the Investec Derby in 2019Credit: Edward Whitaker

A spokesperson for Epsom Downs racecourse said: "We're exploring the feasibility and practicality of staging the Investec Derby and Investec Oaks at the racecourse with no crowd present, given their importance to the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries.

"This is part of the racing industry's resumption planning, which will be guided fully by the Government, local authorities and delivery partners."

How does the Jockey Club plan to make it work?

The paper details key points as to how the Jockey Club plans to stage a behind-closed-doors Derby day, which includes sealing off the site from public access. These points include:

• Producing a communications strategy aimed at the racing community and local residents to ensure they do not attend the meeting and the racecourse.
• Installing fencing and pedestrian barriers at key access points around the site.
• Along with support from Surrey and Sussex Police, providing security at the site and maintaining the sterile areas.
• Utilising a racecourse control room fitted with CCTV footage to monitor the site.
• Addressing issues around the travelling community – although the Jockey Club says it has received assurances that the community will not attend a behind-closed-doors event.

Read more:

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