Winning owners to be included in trophy presentations on Derby day

The post-race scenes will be very different at Epsom on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Winning owners will get the chance to take part in presentations at Epsom on Derby day, despite the strict limitations imposed on their movement.

They are allowed back on course only on the condition that they are restricted to dedicated 'owner zones' to manage infection control in line with government guidance for elite sports venues operating behind closed doors.

But Epsom wants to involve owners in the post-race trophy celebrations and will meet the health protocols by in effect staging two separate ceremonies after each contest.

Phil White, London regional director for Jockey Club Racecourses, said: "For each race the trophies will be on the podium in the winner's enclosure. The trainer and jockey will go up, socially distanced apart, and be interviewed by ITV then have the opportunity to pick up each trophy, similar to what happened at Royal Ascot.

"Then once that's finished and the trainer and jockey are clear, we will escort the owner down from the owners' zone and they will have the opportunity also to pick up each trophy, then they'll be escorted back.

"While we can't do an official handover presentation for obvious reasons, we do want to try as hard as we can within the rules to give the connections the best possible experience of winning, particularly in the Investec Derby. But we need to make sure the process ticks all the boxes."

Since the BHA announced on Monday that owners will be allowed on course, Derby favourite English King's owner Bjorn Nielsen and Sheikh Fahad Al Thani, whose Qatar Racing colours are carried by 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko, have both indicated they will be at Epsom.