🏇 Horse Racing – Sandown Park
Unibet Veterans' Chase Day
Saturday 2 January 2027
Sandown Park Racecourse, Esher
Tickets from £10
Fancy blowing away the Christmas cobwebs with an afternoon at the races?
Sandown Park is practically on our doorstep in Esher, making this an excellent example of the sort of local sporting event members could enjoy together without having to travel into central London.
Unibet Veterans' Chase Day is Sandown's first fixture of the new year and features an afternoon of National Hunt jump racing. There are currently seven races scheduled, including races specifically for experienced veteran racehorses.
Gates are scheduled to open at 10.35am, with the first race at 12.15pm and the final race at 3.35pm. Race times can, of course, change nearer the event.
Why might this be a good group outing?
You certainly don't need to be a racing expert.
A day at the races gives plenty of opportunity to chat between races, have something to eat or drink and enjoy the atmosphere together. Those who know their racing can study the form – while complete beginners can simply pick a horse because they like its name!
And at tickets from just £10, this is one of the least expensive events on our list.
Sandown also has a choice of enclosures, food and drink facilities, and plenty of other race meetings throughout the year. So even if a chilly January afternoon doesn't appeal, members interested in racing could choose another date together.
Getting there Sandown Park Racecourse is at Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9AJ.
Because it is so close to Epsom, members could decide amongst themselves whether to travel by public transport, arrange lifts or share cars.
Interested? If several members say: “Yes, I'd fancy an afternoon at Sandown” …you've already found some people to go with!
Sandown Park – Unibet Veterans' Chase Day information and tickets
Event details and prices are correct at the time of publication and may change. Please check with the event organiser before booking.
🏇 Horse Racing – The Derby Festival
The Betfred Derby Festival
Friday 4 & Saturday 5 June 2027
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Festival tickets advertised from £27
We couldn't possibly create a Sporting Events group in Epsom without including The Derby! One of the world's most famous horse races takes place right here on our doorstep at Epsom Downs, attracting racegoers and visitors from around the world. The two-day Betfred Derby Festival begins on Friday 4 June with Ladies Day, featuring The Betfred Oaks, and culminates on Saturday 5 June with Derby Day and The Betfred Derby itself.
Why might this be a good group outing? Sometimes we travel miles to experience major sporting occasions – yet we have one of Britain's greatest ones virtually at home. Even members who don't normally follow horse racing may have wondered what it is actually like to experience Derby Day from inside the racecourse rather than seeing it on television. And going with a group of other u3a members could make it a completely different experience. You could choose Ladies Day, Derby Day, or simply use this suggestion to find other members interested in racing and choose one of Epsom's quieter race meetings instead.
Ladies Day – Friday 4 June - The first day of the Festival features The Betfred Oaks, one of Britain's five Classic races. Traditionally known as Ladies Day, it combines top-class racing with the fashion, colour and atmosphere associated with Derby weekend.
Derby Day – Saturday 5 June - Then comes the big one. The Betfred Derby will be run at 4.00pm on Saturday 5 June 2027. The race covers 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards over Epsom's famously challenging undulating course and is one of the most prestigious races in world horse racing.
Tickets - The Jockey Club currently advertises Festival tickets from £27, depending upon the day and enclosure chosen. For Derby Day itself, Grandstand Enclosure tickets currently start from £65, with other enclosures and reserved seating available at higher prices. This is therefore one of those events where members could first decide how much they would like to spend and then choose the experience that suits them. There may also be savings for groups: The Jockey Club currently advertises group-booking discounts of up to 25% for the Derby Festival.
And getting there couldn't be much easier! Epsom Downs Racecourse is at Epsom Downs, Surrey KT18 5LQ, just a few minutes from Epsom town centre. For once, members elsewhere in the country will be travelling to us for the big sporting occasion!
Interested? - Perhaps you've lived in the area for years but have never actually attended The Derby. Perhaps you're already a regular racegoer. Or perhaps you've always thought:
“I'd like to experience Derby Day once – but I wouldn't particularly want to go on my own.”
Well, you may find several other u3a members thinking exactly the same thing.
And this one really couldn't be more local!
The Jockey Club – The Betfred Derby Festival 2027
Event details and prices are correct at the time of publication and may change. Please check with the event organiser before booking.