Year 2012 will mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee and to celebrate it the Epsom Derby could be moved from its traditional date, on the first Wednesday in June. Although it has not been confirmed yet, Epsom managing director Rupert Trevelyan has said that changing the date is a possibility and that things are being discussed.
“It's a big opportunity and the Queen has a close bond with the Derby,” Trevelyan commented and added that Epsom hasn’t ruled anything in or out yet. In 1953, the year in which she was crowned, Queen Elizabeth attended the Epsom Derby. That year, jockey Sir Gordon Richards won the Derby riding Pinza, beating the Queen’s horse Aureole only three days after he had been knighted.
Lord Mandelson recently announced that all workers will have an extra day off on Tuesday 5 June to celebrate the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. According to Mandelson, the late May bank holiday will be moved to Monday 4 June, as part of a four day celebration.
Queen Elizabeth, who owns several racehorses, attends the Epsom Derby every year in a private booth. “At this stage we're only a couple of days in since Lord Mandelson made his announcement,” Trevelyan commented. “We've had initial discussions and have a little bit of time before we make a decision and there are lots of people we need to talk to.”
Trevelyan added that they will contact the Queen’s connections to find out about her plans and then they would take care of race planning issues. “We are proud of our connection with the Queen and believe recent runnings of the Derby have reaffirmed its place as the greatest Flat race in the world.”
In the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, her filly Dunfermline won the Oaks under jockey Willie Carson. Besides, the entire Royal Family has a long association with horse racing and the Epsom Derby and the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Philips will compete for the equestrian gold at the 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2009, the Epsom Classic was won by record breaking racehorse Sea The Stars. The horse also won the 2000 Guineas and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, completing an amazing and unparalleled treble.