The Betfred Derby at Epsom will become a 72-hour declaration race in 2025 for the first time in its 245-year history.

Announcing the move on Monday, Epsom Racecourse and Jockey Club Racecourses said they hope that bringing forward the deadline to confirm horses and jockeys by an extra 24 hours will help efforts to promote the race both domestically and globally.

The 2025 Derby will be run on Saturday, June 7th. With 72-hour declarations now in place, this means the final field will be known shortly after 10am on Wednesday, June 4th, with all decisions on jockey bookings confirmed by 1pm on the same date.

There will also be a significantly enhanced draw ceremony for the Derby this year, with Epsom Downs and the British Horseracing Authority using the balls and other equipment deployed for FA Cup draws.

The ceremony will take place at around 11am on Wednesday, June 4th at Epsom’s Picturehouse, a redeveloped cinema in the centre of the town.

The other seven races staged on Derby Day and all those taking place on Oaks Day will retain their 48-hour declaration deadline.

The 2025 Betfred Derby – Entry Stages

Entries – Tuesday 25th February

Second Entry Stage – Tuesday 23rd April

First scratchings stage – Tuesday 6th May

Second scratchings stage – Tuesday 20th May

Five-day confirmation & supplementary entry stage – Monday 2nd June

FINAL 72-HOUR DECLARATION STAGE – 10am, WEDNESDAY 4TH JUNE