Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
Any places I can get my horse kicks? Any racing stables do visits? Bit last minute but didn’t expect to actually have any useable time here but now have a full day!
In Epsom for the day
- Thread starter Boughtabay
- Start date
The Xmas Furry
🦄 🦄
There now? Grab a cuppa and follow signs to the racecourse and park up to watch the last strings out exercising on the downs if you are quick? I think its up to midday but at this time of year they might well be finished earlier.
reynold
Well-Known Member
Doubt that any trainers will let you in without notice. Go up to the Downs - as above work has probably finished.
You could walk the course from the Derby start to the finish line and see what a test of the racehorse the course is. Although the TV does show the gradients and the camber in the home straight there is nothing like seeing it first hand.
I have ridden there for years and whilst I would canter UP Tattenham corner I don't fancy galloping down it at 30+ mph!!
You could walk the course from the Derby start to the finish line and see what a test of the racehorse the course is. Although the TV does show the gradients and the camber in the home straight there is nothing like seeing it first hand.
I have ridden there for years and whilst I would canter UP Tattenham corner I don't fancy galloping down it at 30+ mph!!
Skib
Well-Known Member
As teenagers we rode on Epsom Downs and about 20 years ago I hacked there from Wildwood RS who did afternoon hacks there with a potential gallop. Unfortunately I had only just learned to canter but these days I would love it. Of course, as a hacker, I know that it would depend on the state of the ground.
Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
Too slow on the go for exercise on the downs then woops! We’re going to wander down anyway and have a look at the racecourse. We’ll have tomorrow morning as well though so could get out earlier to see some exercising, or will things be different because of the races tomorrow morning?
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
Will be horses being exercised tomorrow from 6am.
RachelFerd
Well-Known Member
Saturday will quite often be a 'work' day for racehorses, so proper fast work galloping. Horses will be out from about 6.30 through until 11ish. There are three A/W gallops on the downs - the sand, the poly and the bottom gallop. The sand is mainly used for normal cantering, poly for fast sprint type work and the bottom gallop gets used for all sorts - it's a bit longer with a steeper hill at the end. If you park in the '7th Furlong Car Park' you'll be close to good viewing spots for all of them. If you get chatting with some of the trainers you never know, you may get invited in for a look at one of the yards.
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
This is local though private - https://thedurdansliverystables.co.uk/history-surrey/
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
Map of downs for parking - https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/site...psom and Walton Downs Map and Information.pdf
Fieldlife
Well-Known Member
Details of all the gallops - speed of work, opening times, training ground rules etc. 2023 - OneDrive (sharepoint.com)
Health & Safety - Jockey Club Estates https://jockeyclubestates.co.uk/epsom/health-and-safety (open the rules and regulations link)
Health & Safety - Jockey Club Estates https://jockeyclubestates.co.uk/epsom/health-and-safety (open the rules and regulations link)
Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
awesome this is super useful, thankyou!!
Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
thanks for the info we’ll head down tomorrow morning a bit more organised before we leave!
Surbie
Well-Known Member
If you've brought any riding gear, Wildwoods RS still run hacks up to the Downs. The Derby Arms is a nice pub and Derby Equestrian Country Store is a very short amble away from it.
If you're free this evening and fancy it, Epsom RDA are running a talk by Sarah Sjoholm-Patience covering biomechanics, horse & rider psychology & animal behaviour. Tickets still available.
If you're free this evening and fancy it, Epsom RDA are running a talk by Sarah Sjoholm-Patience covering biomechanics, horse & rider psychology & animal behaviour. Tickets still available.
Last edited:
Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
I did not bring any gear sadly - Should have done though! Oh thank you so much for mentioning, but we’re down for a wedding so afternoon/evening occupied, morning free 
Boughtabay
Well-Known Member
Many thanks everyone we made it to the downs to watch a few strings go past and had a little chat with one of the trainers. It was very chilly, but glad we went before we left Epsom!