Epsom Derby Day Attendance Down 41% Since 2019, As Racegoers Turning Away From Britain’s Biggest Flat Race 5b4n3k

Despite horse racing fans witnessing top trainer Aidan O’Brien winning Britain’s biggest flat race for a record-extending eleven times, the news after the race is that the Epsom Derby Day attendance figures continue to drop. 

This is due to the track reporting the 2025 Epsom Derby Day attendance figures were just 22,312 – which was down 17% on 2024.

Epsom Derby Day Attendance Figures Showcase Alarming Drop In Numbers 5m71f

A competitive Epsom Derby field of 18 runners – with many chances – was seemingly still not enough to attract a higher attendance to the biggest horse race in the UK.

Those that did attend managed to witness top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien win his eleventh Epsom Derby – and say, “I was there”.

However, it seems many horse racing fans were happy to watch the race elsewhere – with even the ‘Free Hill’ option for punters on the decline if pictures are to be believed.

This is due to 2025 Epsom Derby Day attendance figures of just 22,312 – which was down 17% on the 26,838 people they got through the door in 2024.

But the decline in paying punters, on what is meant to be the biggest day on the flat racing calendar, isn’t just ring-fenced to 2025.

This downward trend has been happening since 2001 when 53,177 people saw Galileo become the first of the 11 Aidan O’Brien Epsom Derby winners. Which is 60% more than in 2025.

While only six years ago in 2019 the race attracted 38,044 people – 41% more than this year.

The same decline in Epsom attendance figures have been mirrored on Oaks Day. Which is on the Friday before the Derby (see below).

Epsom Derby Day Attendance Figures (2025 to 2001) 3v5s2d

Epsom Oaks Day Attendance Figures (2025 to 2019) 1t434w

Even The ‘Free Hill’ Derby Day Option Was Markedly Down  4x2q4x

The middle of Epsom Downs racecourse is free – due to this being public land.

Meaning it’s not part of the main Epsom track and they are, therefore, unable to charge people to be on it.

This has been the case for over two centuries and over the years, rail bookmakers, food outlets, market stalls and funfairs have popped up to attract more and more people to the free middle of the Epsom track. Not to mention old snaps of row after row of open top busses and coaches.

However, even the draw of not having to pay anything to watch the Epsom Derby – albeit slightly away from the main action – is on the decline.

Yes, there will of course not be any official figures for the Hill. As people can come and go as they please.

But this decline is purely based on the visual eye – with pictures from the 2025 Epsom Derby clearing showing a lot less people on the middle of the track.

Why Were Derby Day Attendance Figures Down f2h1t

Yes, in Epsom’s defence – the build-up to the 2025 renewal had many weather warnings issued. With heavy rain expected at the track at some point on the Saturday.

This, therefore, would have certainly deterred many people – especially on the ‘Free Hill’ option with limited cover in the middle of the track.

As it turned out the weather forecasters were right – with the downpour hitting the track just after the Derby. Meaning those that didn’t go saved themselves from a few hours of trying to stay dry.

However, this weather excuse can only be partly used for the declining Epsom Derby Day attendance figures in 2025.

As these drop in numbers – as pointed out in the table above – are not a new thing.

Instead, many are also suggesting the high ticket cost that Epsom racecourse were charging as the main reason the numbers are down.

Nick Luck Discusses The Derby Day Figures On ‘Luck On Sunday’ 6j2j1p

Epsom Racecourse Criticised For High Ticket Prices – Including Charging £50 For 5-17 Year-Olds 713n2v

As you can see from the Epsom Derby Day ticket prices for 2025, it’s not cheap.

To gain access to the Queen Elizabeth II Stand, for the full Derby Day experience it would have cost adults £165 each.

Yes, kids under the age of 5 can go free. However, it’s the pricing of children aged between 5-17 that the track has come under fire for.

It was £50 for anyone aged 5-17 getting into the Queen Elizabeth II Stand.

And with the bulk of this age range, of course, having to attend with an adult some quick calculations make a day of to the races an alarmingly amount.

For example – a family of four with two kids aged 7 and 9 trying to get into the QEII Stand on Derby Day would have cost a staggering £430.

WATCH: Lambourn Winning The 2025 Epsom Derby  511054

Despite the 2025 Epsom Derby Day attendance figures coming under the spotlight, the race was still one to .

Trainer Aidan O’Brien had the favourite in Delacroix, who was ridden by four-time winning rider Ryan Moore. While he also had the fancied The Lion In Winter.

However, it was his slightly bigger-priced runner Lambourn that O’Brien worked his magic for an eleventh time in the race.

The Epsom Derby runner was handed the ‘Golden Gate’ of stall 10 – which has the best record of any starting gate since stalls were first introduced in 1967.

He blasted out the gates to get to the lead early and never saw another rival. Winning 3 3/4 lengths at the line.

Lambourn is also sired by 2014 Derby winner Australia, so was making his dad proud.

Plus, he also upheld the top record of horses from stall 10 – become the 12th winners from that gate since 1967.