Issue - meetings

This report informs the Conservators of dates for race meetings in 2026 and presents a request from Jockey Club Racecourses for consent for race meetings and extensions to the periods permitted for fencing, as required by the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984 and Epsom and Walton Downs Byelaws.

The Conservators received a report informing them of dates of race meetings in 2026 and presenting a request from Jockey Club Racecourses for consent for race meetings and extensions to the periods permitted for fencing, as required by the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984 and Epsom and Walton Downs Byelaws.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Fencing request. A Member of the Conservators noted that the fencing requests around the Derby Festival are longer than requesting in previous years. The Vice Chair explained that as part of the Jockey Club’s plans to rejuvenate the Derby, one of the things that has been looked at, is all the temporary structures that go up for the period of the Derby Festival. He explained that a new contractor has been hired this year who doesn't know the site. He also highlighted that previously it has always been a very, very tight build and having experienced it for the first time last year and spoken to the contractors, it would be greatly appreciated to have more time for the build. In that additional week, it would be about getting the new contractor used to the site and getting deliveries to arrive a little bit earlier. The Vice Chair explained that it's not necessarily something that the racecourse will request every single year, but it is necessary for 2026.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the dates of the 2026 racing season for Epsom Downs detailed in paragraph 2.1 of this report, and grant their consent to the following meetings in accordance with section 14 of the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984:

· Wednesday 1 July (Evening)

· Thursday 9 July (Evening)

· Thursday 16 July (Evening)

· Thursday 30 July (Evening) [JK1] 

· Sunday 27 September

(2)      Note that Jockey Club Racecourses has applied to Surrey County Council for the temporary suspension of Footpath 50 as detailed in section 4 of this report.

(3)      Consider and determine an application from Jockey Club Racecourses for consent under the Byelaw 2 (i) (a) to extend the fencing period for the Upper Tattenham Enclosure and Lonsdale Enclosure for 11 days to cover the period 11 May – 21 May 2026.