The Epsom Derby took centre stage over the weekend – and so did some famous faces in stellar outfits. Although you’d think the stars of the show would be the horses, it was actually the famous faces being wined and dined by The Jockey Club that actually stole the spotlight.
On the racecourse, Christmas Day won the Epsom Derby, which is worth £2million, at Epsom Downs Racecourse. It proved to be challenging for horses and jockeys with the shocking weather not helping matters.
But the 7/1 backed Christmas Day, ridden by Ronan Whelan, came out of the 14-horse pack as the winner with King Charles and Queen Camilla watching on.
Maltese Cross, tipped at 12/1, did his best to close the gap in the latter stages but couldn’t keep up with the pace of Christmas Day and had to settle for second. James J Braddock (9/1) completed the top three with Bay Of Brilliance and Alderman coming through in fourth and fifth.
Rebel Rocker and Pierre Bonnard followed in sixth and seventh, while Benvenuto Cellini, the favourite, got lost in the pack and was at the centre of a stewards enquiry for an incident at the start of the race. Jockey Ryan Moore went on to finish in eighth but has been declared a non-runner. Ancient Egypt moved up a place as a result.
After winning the Epsom Derby, trainer Aiden O’Brien was captured celebrating the triumph with Whelan later interviewed and in disbelief at his achievement.
Speaking to ITV Racing after the win, he said: “They just told me to keep it simple, when he is out in front he never gets it wrong. The horse has done it so easy, he loves the ground and it just felt so effortless for him.”
And watching on was the likes of Love Island star Ekin-su Culculoglu, TikTok star Millie Stennett and soap icon Claire Sweeney.
Jodie Kidd was also a star turn, wearing a pinstripe white suit with a turtle-neck jumper, while singer Eleanor Fletcher turned heads in a lovely floral number.
Content creator and “luxury mum” Gabriella McCoy (and an unnamed guest) was snapped was also captured at the event, while blonde duo Natalie Rushdie – a singer – and finance guru Danielle Copsey joined in with the Jockey Club fun.
And former England international Eni Aluko was also seen at the event in a flowing blue dress and very small hat. She was also seen alongside Lady Delphi Primrose, Ikram Abdi Omar and even Ekin-Su at various points of the event.