Astronomical prize money for winning Epsom Derby and the cost of entering races
Horse racing enthusiasts and punters are counting down the days to one of the major parts of the racing calendar, with the Epsom Derby fast approaching.
"The Derby" is part of this year's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, although the Queen likely won't be in attendance at the famous event.
Now 96, the monarch is hoping to pace herself for the mountain of celebratory events taking place over the weekend.
Three of Her Majesty's horses have been withdrawn from the event, but Just Fine will take part in the second last race of the derby day on Saturday June 4.
Just Fine, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore, will go in The World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap at 5:15pm.
The coveted event was first run in 1780 and is part of the famous Triple Crown races. Lester Piggott, who died earlier this week, was the Derby's most successful jockey with nine wins.
So what do winners like Lester get and how do people enter the derby?
What does the winner of the Epsom Derby get?
Queen 'to miss Epsom Derby' for only third time amid health issues on Jubilee weekend
The winner of the Epsom Derby will earn a whopping £850,000, earning the Derby the title of "Britain's richest flat race".
The middle leg of the Triple Crown and one of Britain's five racing classics, winners of the event go down in history.
Bookies have warned about the race's recent history, in which the winner of the race has not been one of the three starting favourites ever since a shock win for 40/1 outsider Wings of Eagles in 2017.
Ladbrokes explained: "Overall the favourite has won six of the last 20 races: the same proportion as horses who were fourth favourites or worse, so don’t be afraid to look down the racecard at the outsiders."
Aidan O'Brien, the race's most successful ever trainer, has three horses running in the race with Desert Crown listed as second favourite among the runners by Ladbrokes, with odds of 7/2.
How much does it cost to enter the Epsom Derby?
The Jockey Club estimates that it can cost between £7,860 and £85,000 to enter the Epsom Derby.
It explained: "Yearlings can be entered into future races at a cost of £560. In the March of the year the horse reaches three years old, owners must pay a further £1,100 to stay in the race.
"If they were not entered as yearlings, three-year-old horses can enter in April at a cost of £9,000."
Yearling entries then have to pay another £3,400 in mid-May and three-year-olds have to stump up £1,1250.
On the Monday leading up to the Derby, yet another £2,800 is paid. If a trainer decides to enter a horse from this point on, it will cost them a staggering £85,000.
Entering a horse in the Derby is a long and tricky process that can take "around 18 months and several stages".
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