Just a few minutes away from Epsom town centre, Epsom Downs Racecourse holds racing and music events from April (The Spring Meeting) through to September (Season Finale). Its most famous racing event is the iconic Derby Festival, which includes the Betfred Derby known as the Greatest Flat Race in the World. It is Britain’s richest horse race and the most prestigious of the five Classics. The Betfred Derby Festival will be held over two days on Friday 5th June and Saturday 6th June  2026. The first day is Ladies Day featuring the Betfred Oaks and the second day is Derby Day featuring the Betfred Derby. 

All prices are correct at time of publishing.

Official Dress Code for the Queen Elizabeth II Stand Enclosure on Derby Day 

For Derby Day, the Queen’s Stand becomes a celebration of traditional tailoring and is about uniformity and elegance rather than standing out from the crowd. Epsom racecourse says: Male racegoers are required to wear either black or grey morning dress which should include a top hat, service dress or full national costume. This dress code applies to both Queen Elizabeth II Stand ticket holders and Queen Elizabeth II Stand Hospitality guests. Note: .Black morning coat is worn with striped or houndstooth trousers whilst the trousers and waistcoat for the grey morning coat should match the coat in colour and fabric, like a suit. History Snippet: The morning coat was originally tailored to suit the needs of the nineteenth century equestrian gentleman who leisurely spent his mornings riding, hence the name of the coat. The curved front edges were designed to ensure the rider’s knees would be free from any flapping fabric and the two buttons at the back enabled him to fasten the coat tails up out of the way.

You can hire or buy morning wear attire from Oliver Brown.  Their black Herringbone Morning Coat is made from pure wool and features a subtle herringbone weave. £550.00 or from £75.00 for hire. For a traditional classic strip trouser check out their Pleated Morning Trousers with a single pleat front, side adjusters and brace buttons. 100% wool. £225.00 or from £45.00 to hire. Go for an understated light colour for your waistcoat: their Double Breasted Waistcoat is available in light blue, pink or light sage. Crafted from a mix of wool, silk and linen. £295.00. Your tie should be silk and the pattern subdued such as their Twill Silk Tie, in sky blue with dots. £79.00 A double cuff white shirt is traditional and gives a crisp look to the whole outfit. Sea Island Cotton Shirt £175.00 A pair of cufflinks is a must for the double cuff shirt and here is where you can flash your  individual style: sophisticated elegance in gold and silver simple designs; decadence with pearls or gemstones; or a fun playful twist with novelty designs. Lean into the racing theme with their  Horse & Jockey Cufflinks Sterling silver with red and yellow hand-enameled horse and jockey. £260.00

The option to a black morning coat is the grey morning suit complete with matching waistcoat such as: The Ascot Morning Suit £1100.00 Wear with Woven Silk Tie, Spotted in Pale Blue/Pink £79.00 and because the waistcoat is part of the morning suit and so grey, add a light pop of colour with the shirt in pale pink or pale blue  Luxury Shirt with double cuffs £185.00 Again go equestrian with Horse Head Cufflinks £300.00
Wear braces with a morning coat rather than a belt. A belt will add bulkiness underneath your waistcoat and jacket, whilst braces will streamline the silhouette. Oliver Brown’s Moire Silk Braces – White has a wavy appearance which historically has made it highly prized for formalwear.  £115.00. Hand-made specifically for Oliver Brown by Albert Thurston, the oldest and most renowned braces maker in the world. Add colour to your morning coat with a pocket square which should be made of silk or linen and neatly folded in the pocket rather than flamboyantly pushed in. Oliver Brown’s Horse Racing Pocket Square is perfect for the races sporting a colourful pattern of four horses and a jockey £49.00. Another way to introduce colour or extra flourish is to wear a boutonnière.

When wearing a morning coat, the shoes should be black with laces, plain and highly polished (although not patent). The best shoe style to wear is the formal plain Oxford shoe Capped Oxford in Black Calf Leather £460.00 Don’t try to jazz up your ensemble with coloured or patterned socks, opt for just plain black or grey Short Pantherella Cotton Socks – Black £20.00
Both black or grey top hats are acceptable for black morning coats, grey top hats partner well with grey morning suits. Top Hat Hire – Black Wool Felt From £50.00 to hire or Wool Felt Top Hat – Grey   £250.00 to purchase.History Snippet: It’s surprising to know that Top Hats got off to a shaky start when the hat maker John Heatherington wore the first one to be seen in public on the streets of London in January 1797. At the sight of this unusually tall hat, women screamed and fainted, children cried, so the poor man was arrested and fined for ‘frightening timid people’. Proving it had stamina; the top hat stayed the distance and secured its place in high fashion when Prince Albert started wearing one in 1850. Originally made out of fur felt (beaver being the most expensive), silk came to gain the lead in the fashionable stakes. Silk is still out there in front but is no longer manufactured, making vintage models a rarity and highly coveted. Oliver Brown’s Antique Silk Top Hat from £500.00

Official Dress Code for the Queen Elizabeth II Stand Enclosure on Ladies Day 

There is no official dress code, Epsom racecourse encourages racegoers to come “dressed to feel your best” and says “ From bright and bold to subtle and sophisticated.” Not Permitted: Fancy dress, inappropriate or offensive outfits, as anything deemed vulgar or derogatory may be refused entry. Sports clothes: team colours and team kits are not permitted.

Ladies Day sees The Return of The Style Awards: After a two-year hiatus, the Style Awards will return for Ladies Day in 2026.This time there are no rules – Whether your style is classic, colourful or completely your own, the Style Awards are open to everyone! No dress codes, no limits – just confidence, creativity and individuality!  Simply head over to the Hyperion Lawn and have your photo taken in front of the Style Awards backdrop and you could find yourself in the running for the Top 3 and be in with a chance of winning prizes worth over £10,000!  Ist place includes £600.00 Debenhams voucher and £250.00 Oliver Brown voucher. 

We Say: In the Queen’s Stand, a sharp suit, collar and tie is the sartorial choice for most dapper gents at this race.  Choose a lighter coloured suit so you stand out from a sea of navy and dark greys Charles Tyrwhitt Double Breasted Ultimate Performance Sharkskin Suit The lightweight fabric is perfect for a warm day. Made from 100% wool, ideal for breathability & comfort. £499.00 Wear with a Formal Leather Belt – Chestnut Brown £49.95. Team the suit with their Non-Iron Herringbone Stripe Shirt in light blue stripe. Other colours available £69.95. Go for a silk tie such as their Silk Stripe Tie   in chocolate brown with light blue stripes. £39.95 If staying with the same colour as your tie then, introduce another pattern with your pocket square Silk Geo Print Pocket Square in chocolate brown. £24.95 Their Leather Oxford Shoes in tan are is less formal than black, but they bring a modern look to a suit and go well the lighter coloured suits. £149.00 Have some fun with your socks but don’t go too wild Heron Novelty Socks – Denim Blue   £12.95 Accessorise with Thomas Sabo’s Silver automatic watch with ice blue dial £555.00, Silver Venezia bracelet £245.00 and their Harrison pilot ethnic sunglasses Were £215.00 now £110.00

Official Dress Code for the Grandstand

There is no official dress code in the Grandstand. They encourage racegoers to come “dressed to feel your best” Not Permitted: Fancy dress, inappropriate or offensive outfits, as anything deemed vulgar or derogatory may be refused entry. Sports clothes: team colours and team kits are not permitted.

We Say: In the Grandstand Enclosure, suits are still worn but a blazer with chinos or smart denims also goes down well. Joules Green Cotton Linen Blend Suit Jacket is ideal as it is a relaxed style suit featuring a six-button double-breasted fastening, softly constructed shoulders and patch pockets  £130.00. Matching Green Cotton Linen Blend Suit Trousers £69.00 and add Barneys Originals’ Brown Belt £15.00. Wear with Joules’ Pink & White Striped Oxford Shirt £39.50, Tan Brown Leather Weave Loafers £65.00 and Halstow Natural Trilby Hat £25.00 to keep that smart casual vibe. Accessorise with Thomas Sabo’s Jack square sunglasses in green Havana. Were £165.00 Now £85.00 and their bracelet with jasper, jade and labradorite beads. £95.00 Add that dapper touch with Geoff Stocker’s SAXON HOARD silk pocket square   £45.00

Official Dress Code for the Upper Tattenham Enclosure and The Hill.

There is no official dress code in the Upper Tattenham Enclosure and The Hill. They encourage racegoers to come “dressed to feel your best” Not Permitted: Fancy dress, inappropriate or offensive outfits, as anything deemed vulgar or derogatory may be refused entry. Sports clothes: team colours and team kits are not permitted.

We Say: Layering is a good choice as you are more exposed to the weather. Stand out and wrap up warm when it gets chilly with Joe Browns’ Orange Aztec Cardigan £65.00, layer with their Loved And Lived In Denim Shirt £40.00 and underneath their light blue Better Than Basic Tee  for when the sun comes out. Various colours available. £15.00. Team with their Charming Chino Trousers in Tobacco £40.00, Toluca Embroidered Leather Belt £40.00 and Freedom Leather Trainer with Suede Trim in white and navy £70.00. Pop on a colourful pair of Dandy Argyle Socks £25.00 Keep the sun off your face with their Off to the Races Bowler Hat £25.00 and a pair of Thomas Sabo’s HARRISON aviator-shaped sunglasses with black frame and orange lenses. Were £215.00 now £110.00 Accessorise with Joe Browns’  Brown Layered Plaited Bracelet £25.00 When layering, it is a good idea to take a small rucksack such as Barneys Originals’ Tan Leather Backpack £145.00. This way you can store your layers when not required.  

Joules images courtesy of Joules in house pr team

Oliver Brown images courtesy of Oliver Brown in house PR team

Charles Tyrwhitt images provided by Charles Tyrwhitt inhouse PR team.

Barneys Originals and Thomas Sabo images provided by pr agency Task PR

Joe Browns images courtesy of Jo Browns inhouse PR team

Geoff Stocker images provided by Geoff Stocker

Aerial view of Epsom Downs Racecourse provided by Canva.com