Epsom racecourse on high alert as activists threaten to disrupt Derby

The first afternoon of the Derby festival passed without any disturbance on Friday but Epsom racecourse will again be on high alert on Saturday, when activists from the group Animal Rising have threatened to disrupt the meeting with the ultimate aim of forcing the Derby to be abandoned for the first time in its 244-year history.

The same group failed to carry out a similar threat to stop the Grand National at Aintree in April, although the race was delayed for about 15 minutes after a small number of protesters scaled a fence and attempted to attach themselves to a fence.

Epsom, however, is a more difficult area to secure as there is a public right of access to much of the downland area where the racecourse is situated and thousands of spectators watch for free each year from the Hill enclosure in the middle of the track.

The track has spent an additional £150,000 on security measures and notices have been placed at regular intervals on the fence around the one-and-a-half-mile Derby course, warning potential protesters that they could be liable for substantial damages, or even imprisonment for contempt of court, if they breach an injunction awarded to the Jockey Club, which owns and operates the track, in the high court last week.

Members of Animal Rising have said they are prepared to defy the injunction, however, while the group is also inviting its supporters to take part in what it describes as “an alternative festival of family friendly fun, food and games” on a site outside the main entrance to the racecourse.

“While it’s extremely challenging to secure a site like Epsom Downs, Surrey police have been and continue to be incredibly supportive and the security operation in place on Derby Day will be like no other we