GG Racing Review – What Epsom Can Learn From Royal Ascot? The Power Of Word Of Mouth

Ascot may be the modern behemoth, but Epsom remains a historic monument. Such scope and size is clear from the media centre, which GG have infiltrated for Derby day.

Joe BloGGs

The numbers 22312 sound like the form figures of a promising stakes race contender, perhaps one falling slightly short of the top level. They are not, as a whole, the attendance racing aspires to for its premier flat race of the year.

You may have seen this number already, perhaps with the correctly placed comma between the second “2” and the “3”. That’s not to mention the 15133 (Listed winner, possible Group placed) that deigned to show up on Oaks day having taken the Friday off work.

“I used to come here every year; until today I hadn’t been in 30,” spouts one lively racegoer among the Saturday throng. I must admit it doesn’t feel like an event in decline in the physical moment. The stands are packed, syringing winning punters down the enclosure towards the bookmakers after races one through four.

Barry Johnson and Jim Davies are two such stalls holding the line:

“I’ve been coming here a fair few years,” Johnson opens. “Of all the tracks in the country, this is my favourite day’s racing. We go to Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, Aintree, but I love Epsom the most.”

This likely stems from the breath of history which remains palpable. Sometimes hallowed turf is recognisable just in its landscape. However, a representative of Davies is more succinct when I visit him later in the day:

“Business down, expenses up,” he says with a wry, if slightly cutting smile.

Expenses are the natural starting point to our explanations of declining attendances. Gate prices were upwards of £55 across the entire track; in any climate this would be taxing, but one in which affordability of betting and livelihood is narrowing makes poor ticket sales an inevitability.

It was £35 and upwards, or £99 and upwards for top hat and tails, if you wish to visit Royal Ascot. In many respects, the royal meeting should suffer a similar fate in a similar part of the country, but attendances were 2.8% higher in 2024 at the Berkshire venue.

So, what is it Ascot has that Epsom doesn’t? It’s not simply length, according to some important luminaries:

“Epsom don’t have the support races Ascot do,” ITV’s Ed Chamberlin offers. “The rest of the card on Derby Day just lacks that little bit of star quality. I’d be looking to slim it down if anything.”

Former Grand National winner and Daily Telegraph columnist Marcus Armytage concurs: “It’s only ten days until Ascot this year. There just isn’t the scope to expand; I think racing should be cutting down rather than increasing if anything.”

From a competition standpoint, at least in terms of the big race itself, there seemed little issue for concern. 19 runners, reduced to 18 on the day, represents a significant field for the Derby. I spoke to Thady Gosden, one such participant, who was more upbeat overall:

“It’s always gonna be compared to the days of old when Parliament had a day off for it,” Gosden said. “it seemed like a good day, seemed busy, and as a trainer you still look forward to it more than say Royal Ascot. The weather maybe puts people off though, it’s threatened to be horrible.!

The forecast cannot have helped and rainy intangibles should be factored in before putting Epsom on life support. Indeed, one volunteer suggested from vibe alone that this was the busiest of his three Epsoms covered. However, the grim, grey overhang and the underwhelming racing fare could have long-lasting impacts for next season.

There were audible moans when Ruling Court was declared a Derby non-runner midway through the card. At least this shows a level of knowledge among the audience, not a given in racing, although there was more of a shred of irony when the main VT broadcast in the Derby build-up was about the Godolphin horse’s quest for the Triple Crown. Ah.

Similarly, the race itself could best be described as possessing a front-running masterclass. At worst, it was a dud. Lambourn led from start to finish under Wayne Lordan for a third successive Aidan O’Brien success.

“I don’t think having a single stable domination has helped,” suggests Armytage, and Lambourn’s victory, while gallant, possibly provided the worst of both worlds; an Aidan O’Brien-trained victor who wasn’t the favourite punters wanted to win.

A lack of on-course business definitely harms the product, but at least those opting against a bet have made it through the gates. In the end, it was one overheard phone call which enlightened me most.

By the parade ring, a woman received what appeared to be a surprise telephone ring from her mother. She picked up and after two minutes of conversation announced that she was at the Derby and was not available. Would it have gone unspoken had this same girl been going to Royal Ascot? I suspect that would have been broadcast for all friends and family to hear.

Ascot has the word-of-mouth appeal Epsom has simply lost. There is just as much glamour in dressing up for either track, just as many ladies’ days at their meetings, and just as many food and drink stalls to make it a sporting day out to remember.

Yet, everyone who goes to Royal Ascot this week will announce they are doing so. Epsom can be an afterthought, a dinner party anecdote begun with “did I mention where I was at the weekend?” An Epsom expansion could help with that, but as our bastions of the press said, there may not be the calendar room. 

The scene was nowhere near as dreary as made out on TV. In its twilight, Epsom is not, but as the sun failed to shine across the Downs, relighting its fire has to start outside its gates.

Whether widened or contracted, Epsom needs to tap into Ascot’s gossip wire as the royal meeting unfolds this week. Making Epsom great again, and by extension the Derby, relies on it.