THE Coronation Cup at Epsom will carry the Coolmore prefix next year following a sponsorship deal supported personally by John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

The Group 1 race will switch from Oaks day to Derby day and the prize money has been more than doubled to £1 million.

This was one of several major upgrades to the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom announced yesterday by Jockey Club Racecourses.

As part of a project to reinvigorate the race, a host of enhancements will be introduced in 2026.

The Derby will be worth £2 million, making it the joint richest race in the UK.

There will be an overall increase of £1.375 million in prize money across the two days of racing, making Derby day the second most valuable raceday staged in the UK.

The official attendance for the 2025 Derby day was 22,312, down 17% on 2024 and down 41% from 2019.

In a bid to reverse that trend, under 18s will be given free entry on both days in general admission enclosures. There will be complimentary hospitality and dining area experiences for anyone under the age of 12, with discounts for 12-17 year olds.

Car parking will be free, whether attending in paid enclosures or on The Hill, and banks of ‘bleacher’-style covered seating will be installed along the final furlong on The Hill, giving racegoers a ‘birds eye’ view of the action.

Epsom general manager Jim Allen said: “It is so important for us to be continually evolving and improving to give everyone the best possible experience across the two days. Ultimately, we want to deliver something that Epsom and the surrounding area, along with everyone connected with British racing, can feel truly proud of.”