The selected items have been added to your basket This raceday has now passed, click here view our upcoming racedays at Epsom Downs Racecourse Our season opener on Tuesday 22 April 2025 sees high-class Please note that Langley Vale Road will be closed for the duration of racing on Tuesday 22nd April due to essential roadworks Please ensure you plan ahead for your journey.  THE BETFRED HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3)  (CL 3) THE BETFRED BLUE RIBAND TRIAL (CLASS 1) (Listed Race)  (CL 1) THE LILLEY PLUMMER RISKS CITY & SUBURBAN HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBBPLUS RACE)  (CL 2) THE WEATHERBYS GLOBAL STALLIONS APP GREAT METROPOLITAN HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBBPLUS RACE)  (CL 3) THE WEATHERBYS DIGITAL SOLUTIONS NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 4) (GBB RACE)  (CL 4) THE BETFRED NIFTY 50 HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4)  (CL 4) Save on General Admission Tickets as a Group Our Racehorse Syndicates Association Race Day provides an ideal opportunity to learn more about racehorse ownership opportunities It’s easy to become a racehorse owner and it’s not as expensive as you would imagine.Syndicates and Clubs which are part of the Racehorse Syndicates Association (RSA) must abide by a Code of Conduct and can be trusted to provide an excellent service to their members A number of RSA members will be on course for you to find out how you can become a racehorse owner A full list of RSA Members can be found at www.racehorsesyndicates.org Sign up to RacePass and save up to 50% off your admission ticket when aged 18-24 Make fantastic savings on your raceday experiences with Rewards4Racing Collect points on your online shopping & betting and start saving today Under 18s race for free at the majority of Jockey Club racedays.  Epsom Downs Racecourse - View the latest Going here Lots of useful information to help plan your day at Epsom Downs our spectator guide and a map of the course Find answers to our most frequently asked questions here Our mission is to act for the long-term good of British horseracing but we also have a responsibility to our customers and beyond and are determined to have a positive impact on the world around us In 2012 we launched the Going Green programme to engage our colleagues and get their help with improving the environmental impact of our business Tickets 0344 579 3004 We use “cookies” to help enhance your experience and improve the functionality of our website. You can find out more in our cookie policy Through 30 years of living within walking distance of the Derby course I was ever hopeful of seeing Epsom’s status revived to the 600 horsepower training centre it once was with the likes of Walter Nightingall turning out winners for Winston Churchill There have been brief dawns as when Laura Mongan won the St Leger with Harbour Law in 2016 or Adam West won the Nunthorpe with Live in the Dream Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3 Already a subscriber? Log in became the latest horse to add a European classic to one in Dubai when winning a pulsating edition of the 2000 Guineas (G1) Saturday at Newmarket Appleby indicated that the  Derby (G1) at about 1 1/2 miles at Epsom on June & and the debates surrounding trainer Bob Baffert shop Discover M&S and our different businesses Read more As a business that’s been around since 1884 we know how important it is to look to the future Caring about our impact on the world today and in the future is good business Read more company reports and the latest share price Read more Click here to read our latest results. Keep up to date with all the latest news from M&S Read more M&S launches the Big Fun-Raiser for YoungMinds mental health support Read more M&S Epsom has [today] launched its new M&S Coffee Shop following the completion of work to transform its café Customers visiting M&S Epsom can now enjoy a significantly improved Coffee Shop experience featuring a new design and an exciting new menu. The transformed M&S Coffee Shop offers a delicious range of freshly cooked breakfast rolls with customers able to select food options from displays before heading to the counter to checkout and order from our great quality barista-made coffees and iced drinks menu The environment has been updated with new wall finishes The number of seats has remained the same. Ellie Doe M&S Epsom said: “We’re delighted to launch our brand new M&S Coffee Shop this week Our customers in Epsom can get ready to enjoy a coffee break in stylish surroundings with the same M&S commitment to delicious Stay up to date with M&S news and events Sign up Download Annual Report Download Annual Report Bookings for our Summer Open Morning are now open Book Today Though two female students had attended Epsom College in 1971 to study Sixth Form subjects the formal foundation of White House came in 1976 as Epsom College became officially ‘co-ed’ for the first time Headmaster Mr Rowe presented a memorandum to the Epsom College Council advocating for the admission of girls at Sixth Form level “Girls exert a civilising influence out of all proportion to their numbers and by their presence raising the level of behaviour and of manners.” His proposal met with immediate approval He expressed the same enthusiasm in the 1976 OE Newsletter: “But the most significant change must be the advent of 16 girls as full members of the Sixth Form Their presence will add a new dimension and fresh interests to our life and is widely welcomed at the College The local press may dub the plan as the storming of a male bastion but we regard it as a sane innovation proved at other schools and likely to enrich and diversify the quality of life for everyone.”  nine girl boarders and seven day girls were admitted was the obvious choice — somewhat separate from the boys’ houses and ready to be transformed into the College’s first girls’ house Its white exterior inspired the name: The White House perhaps to avoid confusion with another prominent institution Headmaster Rowe initially suggested that the girls would not require a school uniform early House photographs show a lack of uniformity and tights — but colour and pattern were allowed Uniforms were eventually standardised and introduced during the 1980s The success of co-education at Epsom College meant that by 1980 White House — now with a full complement of Sixth Form girls — moved onto the main campus These buildings had originally been constructed for the Pensioners Dr John Propert founded the College with the aim of providing benevolent support to elderly doctors and their widows facing financial hardship alongside educating the sons of medical men who had fallen on hard times was originally built to provide the Pensioners with individual apartments and shared facilities such as kitchens and laundry rooms At the end of The Terrace sits the Albert Memorial Wing completed in 1863 to accommodate additional Pensioners The ground floor was occupied by the Bursar and Assistant Bursar in their professional roles with their residential quarters located above Queen Victoria gave her consent for the building’s name in honour of her late husband It was decided that residential accommodation for the Pensioners was no longer essential and that they might prefer to receive support in their own homes or chosen locations The buildings were converted into staff accommodation and the Bursary continued to function in its administrative role until the 1980s when further development took place to accommodate White House This included infilling the space between the two buildings White House expanded to include younger girls becoming a day house for students aged 13-18 The former Pensioners’ apartments adapted well into studies and bedrooms for the girls many of which still retain original architectural details The pioneering first White House girls spearheaded the success of co-education at Epsom College paving the way for the admission of girls from age 13 in 1996 the full integration of co-education with the introduction of the Lower School at age 11 The House report written for The Epsomian in 1977 — the first year of a full White House — captures the spirit of those early years with playful pride highlighting the girls’ achievements across all areas of school life It ends with a wry challenge to the school referencing Headmaster Rowe’s words: “Do you feel civilised?” the girls were not just present — they were making their mark And White House hasn’t stopped making its mark since 1990s White House Unison at Choral Competiton There was a Pensioner’s flat on each side of each staircase in the ‘Asylum’ 01372 821000 info@epsomcollege.org.uk With conditions perfectly suited to the style of 7s Epsom wanted to play The first day of action only confirmed this with the boys winning all three group games comfortably scoring over 150 points and conceding zero The first real test came in the elimination game against a pacey Felsted side Epsom lost their way a little to find themselves 14-7 up but down to six players the team reacted superbly to this adversity The second day always poses a mental challenge The second day always poses a mental challenge as much as a physical one With groups containing three other elimination winners and one loss usually confirming an exit from the competition the boys knew they had to be ready from the first kick-off Having come through a group containing Sedbergh and Bromsgrove Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive were not to be underestimated Epsom started superbly and never allowed the opposition any sustained possession The battle against the Welsh schools continued with a comfortable 29-0 win against Haverford West High VC School and it was great to see the continued development of the spirit within the squad This set up a winner-takes-all tie against The Fulham Boys School relying on their superior skill set to see them top the group with a comprehensive 47-14 win and progress to the quarter-finals some teams can go into their shells a little Epsom seemed to grow in confidence and relish the physical challenge posed by Brynteg The first five minutes of this game showed how relentless work rate in attack and defence can pressurise the opposition into mistakes and lead to quick scores A 41-19 win saw Epsom move into the semi-finals against more Welsh opposition in the form of Whitchurch High School Epsom faced their greatest test of the competition It was at this point that Epsom faced their greatest test of the competition After missing the chance to open the scoring the comeback was set in motion by an Epsom reply and then a superb period of defence which saw the opposition kick the ball out voluntarily for half-time Epsom were able to draw level before a sin bin saw them reduced to 6 Whitchurch took advantage to edge back ahead but an Epsom reply saw the game go into the final play at 19 all the team dealt with the pressure superbly and backed their skills to get over the line and progress to the final As they lined up to run out RE1 against Ysgol Gyfun Garth Olwg confident that if they performed to their potential From the outset they pressurised the opposition into mistakes and were clinical with ball in hand scoring four tries without reply before half-time Although the opposition fought back admirably Epsom’s squad depth allowed them to add fresh legs and run out 35-19 winners The boys should be immensely proud of their achievement and how they developed as a squad over the two days Many thanks to all of the parents for their unwavering and respectful support throughout Please see SOCS to view the match report We welcome you to hold your special occasion a beautiful and historic venue nestled in the heart of Surrey Set in 72 acres of leafy and manicured grounds the College boasts a wide range of rooms and spaces that provide the perfect location for a variety of events our location is away from the hustle and bustle yet easily accessible Epsom College offers the perfect wedding venue for you The College boasts stunning architecture and beautifully manicured grounds that provide a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photographs and al fresco drinks on the lawn find out more milestone birthday party or celebration of life Epsom College offers the perfect venue to any special occasion and ensures a unique and memorable experience for you and your guests find out more Elevate your events with the distinguished setting of Epsom College Our facilities include: a grand hall; two large auditoriums; a state-of-the-art lecture theatre; two sports halls; intimate meeting rooms and beautiful outdoor areas; all equipped with the latest technology to ensure your event runs smoothly find out more Our Event Team is truly dedicated to making every event a remarkable success and meticulous attention to detail – we ensure that every occasion is flawlessly executed FIND OUT more Our experienced Events Team will bring your vision to life We offer many options to suit your specific needs and will work with you to ensure your event is exactly how you imagine and more and the attention to all the little details made the whole day a beautiful and memorable one.” – Wedding Client we pride ourself on delivering exceptional service from start to finish Our experienced Events Team will be on hand from the initial organisation of your event to the very end allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment bar staff and technical experts were brilliant.”  Delight your guests with a culinary experience created by our expert chefs Our diverse seasonal menu options feature the finest and freshest ingredients and are designed to cater for all tastes and dietary requirements we can advise you on wine pairing and organise the supply Whether you prefer a formal sit-down dinner or relaxed buffet our team will create a feast that leaves a lasting impression Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sir Mark Lowcock KCB as Chair from 1 April 2025 Sir Mark is a committed public servant and joins gesh after a distinguished career in the UK Civil Service where he served as Permanent Secretary of the Department for International Development between 2011 and 2017 and at the United Nations as the Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator between 2017 and 2021 Sir Mark brings a wealth of experience in government as well as international experience to the NHS which includes supporting dramatic improvements in life expectancy in Africa and South Asia and coordinating UN humanitarian assistance in countries across the world affected by natural disaster and conflict Sir Mark has held senior strategic leadership roles in large and complex organisations In addition to his previous roles in government and the UN he is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the University of London and a member of the World Health Organization Global Preparedness Monitoring Board he is the Vice President of the Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and will take on the position of President of CIPFA from July 2025 As Chair of gesh, Sir Mark will lead the Group Board in the delivery of the gesh CARE strategy to ensure the Group delivers outstanding care for patients fosters an inclusive culture and ensure services are sustainable and fit for the future He will also play a key role in working with partners across the health and care system to transform care and improve outcomes for local communities Sir Mark said: “It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of gesh and to lead an organisation which cares so compassionately for the people of South West London and Surrey “The NHS is facing very significant challenges but I am committed to ensuring that we continue providing the highest possible standard of care for our patients and working collaboratively with our partners.” Regional Director of the NHS in London said: Sir Mark has been committed to boosting the health of the communities he serves and he brings a tremendous amount of experience and expertise to this role “We are all pleased to be welcoming Sir Mark to South West London and Surrey where he will no doubt continue to help improve the health of our patients and communities.” gesh is a group of hospitals and community services in South West London and Surrey with 17,000 staff caring for a population of four-million said: “I’m really thrilled to have Sir Mark as our new Chair “He joins us at a time of opportunity – we are strengthening our ties with partners such as City St George’s University of London to drive forward research and innovation improve our services and develop our staff We will also be building one of the biggest specialist renal units in the country to improve services for some of our sickest patients “I look forward to working with Sir Mark to continue delivering the care we are proud of.” After eight years as Chair of St George’s and nearly six as Chair of Epsom and St Helier Gillian Norton’s term of office will come to an end in March Jacqueline said: “Gillian and I formed a partnership of honesty and mutual respect and shared a commitment to always do the right thing for our patients and staff we have worked with our teams to drive improvements in care – including taking St George’s out of double special measures compassion and leadership has helped us to become a more inclusive and collaborative organisation where every voice is valued This is why she is so highly regarded by everyone at gesh and we’ll miss her dearly “She has been a huge personal support to me and I would like to say thank you to Gillian for the enormous difference she has made.” Energy upgrades across three hospitals are under way – lighting the way for millions of pounds in much-needed savings. St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group (gesh) has started replacing 45,000 fittings with energy-efficient LED lighting across its sites – a move that will potentially save … Continue reading → A pioneering new way of treating heart failure more aggressively has cut deaths by nearly two-thirds, bringing hope to patients and families affected by the deadly condition. St George’s Hospital treated the UK’s very first patient in a new way – inspired by the results of a global trial, STRONG-HF, … Continue reading → Home Secretary Yvette Cooper visited St George’s to hear how we’re tackling knife crime – with frontline staff laying bare the devastating impact violence has on our communities. During the visit, which coincided with a Government announcement to ban ninja swords, the Home Secretary met with teams on our Major … Continue reading → “Every day was scary,” says nurse Laura Blackmore, when asked to reflect on 2020. “I remember having my visor on and hearing my own breath – like when you’re scuba diving and you can hear your breath over everything.” Laura is of course speaking about the Covid pandemic – one of the … Continue reading → A patient has described the terrifying moment he was stabbed with a 15-inch blade while onlookers filmed on their phones – as the hospital where he was treated reveals almost 100 dangerous weapons have been surrendered on site. The male from South London, who did not wish to be named, … Continue reading → Below are the pecentage of patients who answered "Very good" or "Good" to the question "Overall how was your experience of our service?" last month Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article and the term itself has come to signify a race or contest of any type and women often attend the event wearing extravagant hats A list of Epsom Derby winners is provided in the table placing them among the top eight teams in the country The U12As made it to the south east final of the School Sports Magazine Cup narrowly losing to a strong Putney High side the U14As advanced to the National quarter-final to be played at home on Monday 24 February against Seaford College they will make it to the National Final Fours of the Sisters n Sport Netball Plate earning them a trip to Loughborough for a full day of competition Our teams have also excelled in tournaments and 1st teams all qualifying for the Surrey School Finals in March for the first time in the College’s history Epsom was represented in the Regional Rounds of National Schools Despite battling some of the worst weather conditions I’ve seen in my 15-year career the 1st team finished third in their group just missing out on the national finals – a truly commendable achievement Diana has once again been competing in the National Performance League for Pulse Power U17s currently third on the ladder and Chia has also been representing London Pulse U17s in the NPL who are currently top of the NPL table 31 teams have competed in weekday and Saturday fixtures giving over 320 girls the opportunity to develop and represent the College with another 77 scheduled after the half-term break The pupils have shown remarkable dedication A huge thank you to all the staff for their commitment and expertise – your efforts are invaluable in making the netball programme a success It looks like JavaScript is not enabled in your browser Derby favourite: The Lion In Winter is just one of a plethora of Epsom candidates for Aidan O’Brien Photo: Dan Abraham / focusonracing.comGraham Dench casts his eye over the three-year-olds currently taking high rank in calculations for the Betfred-sponsored Derby Europe’s most prestigious Classic at Epsom on Saturday June 7 Seven of the last eight winners of the Epsom Derby have been trained by either Aidan O’Brien or Charlie Appleby so it is little wonder that colts from those two stables once again dominate ante-post markets for the Betfred-sponsored Classic on June 7 who won his tenth Derby with City Of Troy 12 months ago looks to hold an especially strong hand at this early stage He has the clear favourite once again in The Lion In Winter among a host of potential candidates while Appleby has a likely type in Ruling Court his sole representative at the initial entry stage, and plenty more promising sorts Godolphin have tended to add more horses at later entry stages while Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer Ralph Beckett has no fewer than 12 entries among whom the trio included in this list all look live outsiders The Lion In Winter was already around a 5-1 favourite for the Derby when he was ruled out of Newmarket’s Dewhurst Stakes with a stone bruise and you can still get the same sort of odds some four months later.  We’ll never know for sure how he would have fared there in a race Aidan O’Brien had won for an eighth time 12 months earlier with subsequent Derby winner City Of Troy but we could draw our own conclusions when the stable’s previously unconsidered stablemate Expanded got to within a neck of Godolphin’s runaway Middle Park winner Shadow Of Light in a messy race The Lion In Winter had impressed in a maiden at The Curragh in July on his debut and success in York’s Acomb Stakes a month later saw him propelled to the head of this year’s Classic markets but the 2024 renewal punched well above its weight runner-up Wimbledon Hawkeye going on to win the Royal Lodge while fourth-placed The Waco Kid landed the Tattersalls Stakes What is more The Lion In Winter won it well We didn’t see The Lion In Winter again and plans for his reappearance are reportedly fluid but O’Brien revealed in late January that while he could go for the Guineas he is looking more of a Derby type and so might start off in a trial He currently looks very much the stable’s number one hope for Epsom where O’Brien has been successful in four of the last six years and a record ten times in all The unbeaten Twain will probably be trained for the 2000 Guineas first but he is a fascinating prospect and very much in the ‘could be anything’ box While he clearly wasn’t ‘expected’ when a 28-1 winner of a soft-ground seven-furlong maiden on debut at Leopardstown in October he made short work of his 12 rivals and came home six lengths clear.  We didn’t have to wait long for confirmation that he’s an exciting prospect for just eight days later he lined up for the G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on even more testing ground by a length and a quarter from stablemate Mount Kilimanjaro It wasn’t a strong race for its G1 status with the previously unbeaten hotpot Maranoa Charlie failing to run his race While it’s true that the best of his siblings did their winning at distances short of a mile and a half the dam is a sister to the Irish Oaks winner Bracelet and it’s the family of Galileo and Sea The Stars so he ought to have a good chance of staying at Epsom Whether he’ll be as effective on faster ground is impossible to say at this stage It must have come as a very pleasant surprise to connections when Stanhope Gardens showed so much at two because he’s a colt who has ‘middle-distance three-year-old’ written all over him An eye-catching third to Ruling Court in a maiden at Sandown first time out he had no trouble landing the odds in a similar race at Beverley next time and then made Aidan O’Brien-trained Delacroix pull out all of the stops in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket The pair had a terrific battle through the final furlong there and it was only close home that Stanhope Gardens gave best to a rival who’d had the benefit of the rail to race against throughout Stanhope Gardens is crying out for further and will presumably have his Derby credentials tested in one of the traditional trials Jockey Rossa Ryan has nominated him as one of his best prospects for 2025 and you can see why Ruling Court was beaten just over two lengths into third by The Lion In Winter when the pair met in York’s Acomb Stakes but it remains to be seen how relevant that will be if the pair meet again over an additional five furlongs at Epsom in June they were both making only their second starts there after impressing first time out – at Sandown in Ruling Court’s case – and neither was seen again Dual Derby winner Charlie Appleby will have two more opportunities to add another contender or two to this year’s race but Ruling Court was his sole representative at the initial entry stage in February we’ve already had a good look at him this year in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas at Meydan on March 1 and while his opponents there were by no means top drawer there’s no denying he blew them away in devastating fashion but Appleby hinted that a step up in trip for York’s Dante Stakes might be more likely than sticking at a mile in the 2000 Guineas in which the stable already has a strong candidate in Shadow Of Light A 2.3m Euro breeze-up purchase from Arqana Sales last May Ruling Court is by US Triple Crown winner Justify sire of last year’s Derby winner City Of Troy out of a US Graded stakes-placed turf winner at around a mile. While ten furlongs ought to be no problem, there is no guaranteeing he will stay a mile and a half Hotazhell certainly won’t be lacking for experience if he makes it to Epsom in June who describes him as a “feisty” individual who loves to look his rivals in the eye a G3 and a G2 before just edging the Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite Delacroix out of Doncaster’s G1 Futurity Trophy after a sustained battle that saw the pair pull over four lengths clear.  The Futurity has a solid record as a proving ground for future Derby contenders and Auguste Rodin was its fifth winner since the turn of the century to go on to success at Epsom two summers ago and there’s no reason he won’t be just as good at three the stable has at least one more likely Classic colt this year in Green Impact a Wootton Bassett colt who has also had the measure of Delacroix not once There might not be too much between the Harrington pair Joseph O’Brien had no hesitation in nominating the Derby as Tennessee Stud’s first major target at three after he won last October’s ten-furlong Criterium De Saint-Cloud a race won the previous year by the same owner’s subsequent Irish Derby winner Los Angeles as Tennessee Stud made fairly heavy weather of beating Green Storm by a length and a half in a race which attracted just three runners but that’s understandable as the ground was very testing He’s almost certainly a fair bit better than he looked there O’Brien won the Derby on both Camelot and Australia in his short career as a jockey and he would dearly love to win it now as a trainer Tennessee Stud looks a viable candidate at the very least Racefans on both sides of the Atlantic will have the fondest memories of Delacroix’s dam Tepin who enjoyed a stylish success in the Breeders’ Cup Mile for Mark Casse at Keeneland in 2015 and went on to three more top-level wins in 2016 including in Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes before signing off with a narrow defeat in Breeders’ Cup Mile again at Santa Anita The former dual champion US female turf horse sadly died last year as she had a G1 winner in Grateful at Longchamp in October and ought to have another one some time this year in stablemate Delacroix He might not be the ‘sexiest’ of Aidan O’Brien’s many Derby possibles but after ending his five-race two-year-old campaign with a nose second to Hotazhell in the G1 Futurity Trophy it’s hard to imagine Delacroix not lining up at Epsom He previously enjoyed a Newmarket G3 win over Stanhope Gardens This one might have less in the book than the other Aidan O’Brien colts in this list but he could have a stack of improvement in him A strong-finishing second in a seven-furlong maiden at The Curragh on his debut in August he returned three weeks later for a similar event over a mile and made all to win by a length and three-quarters from stablemate Genealogy despite Ryan Moore reporting afterwards that he was doing nothing in front and was never out of second gear Quite how high he will progress is anybody’s guess but he is from a good middle-distance family and looks sure to be seen to much better advantage at three.  As a son of crack sprinter Starspangledbanner this colt might seem an unlikely stayer of the Derby’s demanding mile and a half. However he’s a rarity in that he’s already a Group winner over ten furlongs in Newmarket’s Zetland Stakes beating good yardstick Green Storm convincingly so another two furlongs ought not to be beyond him nearly eight months later the question with Starzintheireyes is perhaps not whether he will have the stamina for the Derby for Rossa Ryan afterwards described him as “a big stayer adding that “this sort of ground [good to soft] and worse are his conditions”.  who might have a tough choice between a host of promising Beckett colts come June 7 added: “He's gonna grow up a lot from two to three – he’s nowhere near the end destination.” Charlie Appleby didn’t enter Opera Ballo for the Derby at the initial stage in February but we needn’t read too much into that as there’s a second stage on April 23 after which supplementary entry is still available at a price just days from the race It is too early to say whether Opera Ballo will come under serious consideration as he has so many other options and early impressions and pedigree both suggest he might have speed in excess of stamina.  it’s significant surely that his career has so far mirrored that of last year’s 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech having followed a runaway debut success in a Polytrack maiden over one mile at Kempton in January with a hugely impressive defeat of stronger opposition over the same course and distance a month later That was in the ‘European Road to the Kentucky Derby’ Conditions Stakes and he picked up 20 valuable points there for a possible trip to Churchill Downs But with the 2000 Guineas taking place the same day there will no doubt be much debate over where best to place him and any decision on the Derby will have to wait until later No up-and-coming trainer made a bigger impression in 2024 than James Owen who was rewarded in the winter when the Gredley Family switched last year’s Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly to him Wimbledon Hawkeye carries the same predominantly yellow colours and showed significantly more for Owen at two than his new stablemate had done for James Fanshawe Having chased home Derby favourite The Lion In Winter at York Wimbledon Hawkeye won the G2 Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket and finished third to Hotazhell in Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy The soft ground might not have been ideal for him at Doncaster but he still finished his race off in a manner which suggests he will get further although a mile and a half might stretch him unless he switches off better A stablemate of Stanhope Gardens and Starzintheireyes and a very lightly-raced Highclere colt who looks sure to make a better three-year-old As a son of Too Darn Hot –  and what’s more a breeze-up buy – he’s probably a less certain stayer than Stanhope Gardens the manner in which he saw out the closing stages of a one-mile novice event run on heavy ground at Newbury in October really powering clear before winning eased down suggests he’ll be getting a mile and a quarter at least Ralph Beckett felt he won despite the ground He’s a smart prospect and will be well worth his place in a Derby trial • Visit the Betfred Derby Festival website ‘What a race it was’ – Romantic Warrior keeps top spot despite defeat in epic Saudi Cup battle with Forever Young Nancy Sexton: The world’s ten most expensive sires for 2025 ‘Riding for a living, what could be better?’ – it’s a family affair for champion apprentice Erik Asmussen View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sires Hospitality & Catering News Overlooking Epsom racecourse and the wider Epsom Downs Great care is being taken to create a welcoming and warm space that evokes the charm of a traditional British pub Signature features will include a statement horseshoe bar a new garden room featuring open fireplaces and terracotta flooring along with a striking conservatory with views out to the garden Upstairs will be home to a first-floor terrace facing the Downs and two new spaces both available for private hire to accommodate a range of party needs the expansive garden is undergoing a full transformation to add an additional 400 covers which will be serviced by its own outdoor bar and kitchen menus will focus on showcasing seasonal ingredients from local suppliers including meat sourced from local butchers including The Butchers Block renowned for its diverse range of quality and premium cuts sustainably caught British seafood and craft ales from local breweries hearty dishes including Bay leaf and fennel braised hogget shepherd’s pie topped with clotted cream mash homemade ham hock pie and fresh seafood dishes from oysters to hand dived scallops will feature on the menu whilst Sunday will play host to signature sharing roasts impressive prime meats will be available including a 16oz Hereford prime beef T-bone steak pork and Barnsley lamb chops locally sourced in Dorking and Belted Galloway ribeye from Surrey hills and dry aged in house for 46 days Nostalgic pub classics and creative puddings will also feature including bread and butter pudding topped with meringue and custard and sticky toffee Sustainability is at the heart of the pub’s ethos from supporting local businesses and suppliers to its fully electric equipment The pub kitchen will be fitted with a state-of-the-art Robata grill which gives the effect and taste of cooking over coals and is used throughout the menu whether it be coal-fired whole south coast plaice with charred leeks to slow roasted meats or salt baked vegetables expect twists on classic cocktail serves like salted caramel espresso martinis alongside a list of wines from across the globe commented: “We are looking forward to unveiling the latest addition to the Young’s portfolio in January we have been hard at work creating a pub fit for the local community and racegoers alike we are investing time and care into crafting a premium pub offering from the interiors and expansive garden to a menu which showcases the best of British produce.” Tattenham Corner joins Young’s collection of premium pubs in Surrey including The Bear in Cobham and Chequers at Walton on the Hill Website Hospitality’s class action against Visa and Mastercard set out simply Copyright © · Hospitality & Catering News Epsom’s Boys’ 1st VII headed to Portsmouth Grammar School for the South Coast 7s this was the first tournament of the season and a perfect opportunity for the squad to shine Despite missing several key players due to academy commitments the wider squad stepped up brilliantly in a competitive environment Epsom dominated the opening pool games with impressive wins against Sherbourne setting up a quarter-final clash with Marlborough College A commanding 42-12 victory saw Epsom advance to the semi-finals and Roberts secured a crucial two-point lead who had defeated Brighton College in their semi-final match Although Epsom had beaten Millfield earlier in the pool stages the final proved to be a different challenge but tries from Frewer and Roberts just before halftime brought the score back to 12-10 in Millfield’s favour an error at the kick-off gave Millfield possession Kit Fleming delivered a moment of brilliance slicing through two Millfield defenders to score under the posts It was a fantastic way to kick off the 7s season with the squad playing superbly all day and fully deserving their triumph etching Epsom’s name on the Cup for the first time Flynn Roberts was awarded Player of the Tournament The College has climbed four places in the School Sport magazine awards being named the UK’s No.4 school for sport the UK’s No.3 co-ed school for sport and the best co-ed school for sport in South East England combined with this year’s outstanding academic results – 88% A-levels A-B and 83% GCSEs 7-9 – position Epsom firmly as one of the UK’s leading schools for all-rounders School Sport ranks the top 200 state and independent schools across the country based on their sporting performance The rankings are compiled from results in more than 20 different sports and over 120 competitive events encompassing both boys’ and girls’ teams across all age groups Epsom’s position in the top five highlights the College’s continued strength in sports and its ability to nurture outstanding athletes said: “This is a fantastic recognition of what the College’s pupils have achieved in the past year commitment and hard work of our young athletes and the dedication of a talented team of coaching and support staff I’m delighted that an independent panel has judged Epsom to be the top co-ed school in South East England.” The Derby dream is still alive for connections of Sea Scout after the 40-1 outsider narrowly denied Trinity College in the Listed Blue Riband Trial The Sea The Stars colt took up the running under Harry Davies inside the final furlong and scored by a head with the runner-up hanging left on his first Epsom start the winner of a Lingfield maiden on his final juvenile outing survived a stewards' inquiry into interference between the front two home "We've always loved him," said joint-trainer Simon Crisford "He's always looked as if he possesses plenty of talent and he'll stay a mile and a half so we'll let the dust settle and make a plan We're happy with that and he's a promising colt for the future "He was the outsider but he wasn't that price in our book He's always a bit sleepy so you can't judge him on what he does in the mornings but we felt he had a nice chance He's got a proper pedigree for the big one in June stays the trip and appeared to like the track so there's plenty of positives." Paddy Power halved Sea Scout to 33-1 (from 66) to provide the Crisfords with their first Derby success on June 7 "We've left him in the Dante at York this morning and if he needs a bit more match practice it's a possibility," added Crisford "It's just nice to have a promising three-year-old for the season He might not have caught people's attention at Lingfield but he won it well Davies doubled up when the David Menuisier-trained City Of Delight finished powerfully to land the City and Suburban Handicap The four-year-old followed up victory at Doncaster on his reappearance when scoring by half a length to set up a return to Epsom on Oaks day "I wasn't sure he handled the track until he hit the rising ground in the last 50 metres," said Menuisier "He looked like getting swamped but then he flew and ran on well He did it the hard way but he's so consistent He's so easy to train and has all the traits of a good horse "I think it would make sense to come back here for a handicap on Oaks day next month or to step him up to a mile and a half I think he's craving a step up in trip but he keeps winning over this one so I'm happy to take my time."  David Egan achieved something his father John failed to do when Asgard's Captain recorded his first course win in The Great Metropolitan Handicap The five-year-old finished third in the Northern Dancer handicap on Derby day last year off the same mark of 84 under John Egan whose son went two places better in this lower grade contest when stretching four and a half lengths clear of the Menuisier-trained favourite Master Builder "His dad rode him to finish third in the Northern Dancer on Derby day last season so I texted David last night and said all you need to do is get instructions from your dad because Asgard's Captain can be quite a handful," said trainer Dylan Cunha That was his Derby today and he's done well Believe it or not he's going to the Northumberland Plate then he could go hurdling We're two from two over jumps this season We schooled him over hurdles recently and he was brilliant He's an absolute legend and really versatile." Betfred Derby (4.30 Epsom 200-1 shot beaten almost 50 lengths in five previous starts becomes joint-biggest-priced British Flat winner  Sign up to receive On The Nose Published on 22 April 2025inReports Copyright © 2025 Spotlight Sports Group Limited or its licensors Sophie Nightingale of Costcutter Epsom is described as “going places in retail and is a name that the industry will undoubtedly see much more of in years to come” Store owner Sue Nithyanandan explains that it has been wonderful to watch her develop her skills and her confidence quiet 17-year-old sales colleague to a trusted manager of a team of 15 people has great energy and ideas and is a real asset to the business “I consult with her on most operational matters and she runs the store during busy Sophie goes about her role with absolute pride and is a good leader She is very adaptable and always responds to problems (especially staff shortages or illness) effectively and promptly and is always willing to step in and go the extra mile to help.” The whole strategy and delivery of the store’s vape category has been driven by Sophie. The store’s team made a conscious decision not to have a vaping offer until three years ago and when they introduced an offer they were very conscientious around being a responsible retailer in this area Sophie completely oversees the vaping range and has helped to drive sales - working with suppliers to stock a good range of quality brands helping to educate customers around products (including encouraging a move to refillable and reusable products) whilst at the same time helping to ensure they sell vapes in a responsible way to mitigate underage sales and also reduce the impact on the planet Sophie also ensures they are very diligent around where they purchase the vape products from never buying online and always sourcing from a trusted supplier Sophie also has responsibility for alcohol sales which is one of the key revenue drivers at the store Sales have seen an uplift of 5% across the category in the past year with the impressive range in this section also helping to drive footfall displays and stock inventory and ensures this section is always fully-stocked and looks great with Sophie keeping a continual eye on trends and evolving the range accordingly During the cost-of-living crisis incidents of shoplifting had increased significantly in the store which was having a big impact on the store’s bottom line and making the team feel uncomfortable and frustrated that so much stock was being taken through her enthusiasm and dedication for tackling the theft issue in enhancing the security of the shop and protecting the team and the goods from theft Around 18 months ago she suggested trialling product security tagging system Chirpprotect and has overseen the successful implementation of this security tagging device system which is used on high value items such as meat along with improved communication through headsets to the merchandiser on the shop floor (so they are able to start tidying an area near where suspicious activity is occurring to deter theft) has reduced shop theft by over 50% - saving around at least £10,000 per annum The store is now feared by many shoplifters as Sophie’s leadership and determination around tackling this issue has helped to enthuse all the staff to get more vigilant and be proactive in helping to tackle the issue Sophie has also helped Costcutter reduce waste in the fresh category She has achieved this through better forecasting and reducing products earlier before their best before or use buy dates She also oversees the ‘Too Good To Go’ app sales has saved 2,252 meals from going in the bin and reduced 6.08t of carbon emissions Sue describes Sophie has an excellent team player and fantastic motivator of people “She works hard to be the best she can be and has a real passion and energy to progress She leads by example and is always willing to roll her sleeves up and do whatever she needs to do to help or flex her day if needed to help the business She is extremely conscientious and is the only person in the team who asks if she can go at the end of her shift and double checks if there is anything else that support is needed with.” Register today to gain unlimited access to articles and to receive our great range of email newsletters Register now Site powered by Webvision Cloud Jimmy White and Ken Doherty will feature among a star-studded line-up at the Epsom Racecourse on Monday 30 December for the fourth edition of the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 The event will see a return to the Epsom Racecourse twelve months on from the inaugural Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 there which was won by Stephen Hendry There will also be a VIP Legends Lunch which will offer the chance to meet snooker legends Dennis Taylor and John Virgo enjoy a two-course meal prior to the action getting underway in Surrey as well as a reserved seat said: “We are delighted to be returning to Epsom for the second year in a row and look forward to welcoming the fans for an afternoon of enthralling unpredictable action under the World Seniors Snooker 900 format “We would also like to once again thank our title sponsors Mr Vegas Casino and our host broadcaster Channel 5 for their continued support.” Tickets start from £50 with the limited VIP Legends Lunch tickets available at £147 per person News, Seniors, WPBSA World Seniors Snooker Head Office: World Seniors Snooker Site by Init Creative For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Environment Agency Updated: 07:23 (UTC+1) on Tue 6 May 2025 it will turn increasingly cloudy from off the North Sea Some bright or sunny spells developing by evening Staying dry with some lengthy clear skies overnight Turning chilly with a touch of grass frost in places Largely dry with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells on Wednesday with variable amounts of cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout the period Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Being a responsible retailer is at the heart of everything that happens at Costcutter Epsom ALREADY HAVE A REGISTERED USER ACCOUNT? PLEASE LOG IN HERE Registration is quick and easy and provides access to:  Register for free The information on this page is intended for journalists If you click NO you will come back to Mynewsdesk.com Striking artwork by A-level students and local primary school children is brightening the journeys of passengers passing through two Southern railway stations in and around Epsom a series of iconic images from the locality was unveiled in the subway at Epsom station created by 11 art and technology students from Nescot – the Northeast Surrey College of Technology And nine and 10-year-olds from Epsom Downs School have just finished a large frame of images called “Rockets” at Tattenham Corner station (see picture below) set to continue next year with more artwork at Ewell East is being funded by Southern’s parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and run by members of the Epsom branch of The Art Society It forms part of the society’s national art@thestation programme a potter and retired art and technology teacher who led the project with other local society members including former chair Linda Bristow “We wanted to plug the town and create a sense of place for passengers to have a better experience and for the students to show their work to a wider audience “I took pictures of iconic images from the locality such as the racecourse and clock tower While we were putting the last one up a passenger stopped and took a picture said the students were so enthusiastic about this project!” GTR’s Community Engagement Manager Rob Whitehead worked closely with the Nescot students and gave them free rail tickets to and from London so they can see an art exhibition Rob said: “We’re delighted to help here in Epsom and highlight the talented work of the students at Nescot We supported this work through our Station Partners Small Grant fund which is available to groups to bring about the wonderful work that we have seen through this partnership.” Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows: www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com When you choose to create a user account and follow a newsroom your personal data will be used by us and the owner of the newsroom for you to receive news and updates according to your subscription settings To learn more about this, please read our Privacy Policy, which applies to our use of your personal data, and our Privacy Policy for Contacts which applies to the use of your personal data by the owner of the newsroom you follow Please note that our Terms of Use apply to all use of our services You can withdraw your consent at any time by unsubscribing or deleting your account based on Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel and first performed in English in 1985 in London holds at its heart two key conflicts which symbolise the best and worst in humankind exemplified by rivals Inspector Javert and Jean Valjean; the other is an external battle between the rich and the poor public scenes in emotional choral numbers like One Day More and Do You Hear the People Sing a paean to the power of the people against an autocratic government was most recently and controversially sung to President Trump by the US Army Choir in February 2025 triggering much debate online over its political purpose this musical clearly continues to resonate in this day and age with its grey shades of moral and political debate The strong cast built powerful connections with the band providing the dark and insistent strains of Look Down as a backdrop to the prison members of the strong cast built powerful connections with the audience We sympathised immediately with the convict Jean Valjean played with gravitas and sympathy by a bearded Josh as he tried to create a new life after prison and was flouted at every attempt as the merciful Bishop who ultimately turns Valjean’s soul to God made an impression with his rich and velvety tones as he convinced authorities to let Valjean go It was from this moment that the central moral conflict of the story took hold: Valjean’s God of forgiveness engaged in a lifelong battle against Javert’s God of punishment and righteousness The audience was captivated by the complex harmonies in their aggressive duet The Confrontation ever ready to punish Valjean for antique wrongs A standout performance was the beautiful Stars Javert’s tribute to his constricted worldview which he then revises later after Valjean shows him mercy; this proves a bridge too far for his limited understanding which ultimately results in his own tragic death A counterpoint was Valjean’s beautiful prayer on the barricades sung with raw simplicity and incredible vocal control by Josh The audience similarly thrilled to Fantine’s desperate story almost too emotionally painful to watch at times due to the noble misery of Lucy’s arresting portrayal Lucas as the sleazy foreman cut a nasty figure in prosecuting Fantine against Valjean’s wishes There was nary a dry eye in the audience during her passionate upsetting performance of I Dreamed a Dream compounded by her death scene where she calls in vain for her daughter was portrayed by Abi on Tuesday night with sweet and pure sincerity on Wednesday night by the vulnerable yet powerful Genevieve and by Honor on Thursday night with an air of exquisite simplicity We cheered for Valjean’s rescue of Cosette from the mendacious and mercenary Monsieur and Madame Thénardier employing deft physical comedy in the set piece grift song Master of the House served a perfect counterpoint to the neglected Cosette the trio of the vulnerable and conflicted adult Eponine (played by a vocally gripping Ananya) adult Cosette (the atmospheric soprano Ellie) and earnest Marius (nimble tenor Brandon) pulled at the audience’s heartstrings Particularly outstanding was the trio’s harmonious A Heart Full of Love initially a sincere declaration of love between Cosette and Marius which takes a darker turn when Eponine joins them symbolically from the opposite side of Valjean’s gate Cutting an aged figure after the barricades We wept first with Eponine in the mystical On My Own in which Ananya evoked the pure magic and loneliness of Paris after dark then mourned as she and Brandon sweetly and harmonically sang A Little Fall of Rain surely one of the most distressing death scenes in any musical cutting an aged figure after the barricades similarly wrung tears from the audience in the gorgeously painful Empty Chairs at Empty Tables powerfully sung and with beautiful staging featuring the ghosts of his friends symbolically extinguishing lanterns on stage Some of the most heart wrenching and moving scenes in the musical were reserved for the young student anti-monarchist revolutionaries or ‘ABC Society’ but in the June Rebellion of 1832 (in which a young Victor Hugo himself had been trapped behind the barricades) were forcibly subdued by the monarchist armies Joe as Enjolras embodied the motivational spirit of this rebellion at every turn using his charisma and compelling baritone to lead the group He was ably and movingly supported by the powerfully voiced Harlie as Combeferre drunkenly taunting Marius and later becoming the last to fall on the barricade The revolutionary urchin Gavroche was played with exceptional spirit Livi stepped in with great confidence and bravery on Wednesday night to take over this role showcasing her clear voice and well-aimed scrappy attitude in the face of extreme oppression The ensemble of this company was particularly strong and unified At no moment was there a gap in the high quality of the soaring chorus a testament to the quality of each individual singer Ms Jakes’ choice to maximise the use of ‘multi-role’ meant the audience was treated to a real range from nearly every member of the chorus wealthy brothel customer Bamatabois who threatens Fantine and whose character Courfeyrac later fights nobly on the barricades whose elegantly cold and selfish persecution of Fantine stood out in contrast to her later saddened unity with the other women in Turning a sailor and a revolutionary with exceptionally melodic solo singing every cast member showcased their acting talent in multiple key roles included the nostalgic and tender Drink With Me before fighting featuring the beautiful vocal stylings of Brooklyn highlighting the tragic reality behind the prostitution in the story The impressive Wedding Chorus and dance featured a memorable Melissa showcasing her humour as the Majordomo introducing the underhanded Thenardiers alongside an energetic chorus including Sasha who also had a comic turn as Thenardier’s blind guest earlier in the play heartbreakingly sung by Hadley and supported by Lucy and Ananya the play left us with a key final message before the rousing chorus Do You Hear the People Sing was reprised: “To love another person is to see the face of God.”  who played a complex 150 minutes of music with no gaps for spoken dialogue has not happened for 25 years at Epsom College The exceptionally talented ensemble consisted of Hattie on keys and the distinctively rhythmic Sophie on percussion the band were in perfect time with the singers an accomplished feat for such a complex set of songs and sung dialogue and Gege worked ceaselessly behind the scenes to ensure cues were met and numerous props delivered seamlessly on stage The set was exceptionally powerful and simple such as the symbolic gate to Valjean’s house required a high degree of nimbleness from this backstage team – well done Showcased talented performers both on and off stage This unusually emotional and intricate production highlighted students from throughout the senior school and showcased talented performers both on and off stage They were of course guided by exceptional leaders: the directorial team of Ms Jakes Mr Lodge and Miss Atkinson as Designer and Production Assistant together with the tech and design team comprising of Mr Kerswell Victor Hugo wrote of his own novel: ‘I don’t know whether it will be read by everyone wherever children lack a book to learn from or a warm hearth Les Misérables knocks at the door and says: “open up I am here for you”.’ The unified company having opened this door for us the audience communicated the spirit of this universal story entirely The fourth Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 tournament will take place on Monday 30 December with six of the sport’s biggest stars embarking on the Epsom Racecourse for an afternoon of fast-paced World Seniors Snooker returns to the venue where seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry won the inaugural edition of the format by defeating long-time rival Jimmy White in the final twelve months ago ‘The Whirlwind’ returns to Epsom next Monday aiming to avenge three consecutive title match losses under the ‘900’ format and he is joined by Goffs champion Ken Doherty ‘The Tornado’ Tony Drago and debutants Nigel Bond All matches throughout the tournament are just a single frame and each of these frames has a time limit of just 15 minutes Should the frame not be complete at the end of the allocated 15 minutes whoever is leading the frame claims the win cueists have just 20 seconds per shot and there are no extensions or time-outs (unless at the discretion of the referee) or a cushion must be struck with the cueball or an object ball All fouls result in cueball in hand for the opponent a blue-ball shoot-out will be used to determine the winner The six players will compete in two round-robin groups of three players with the top two advancing to the semi-finals The winner of Group A will face the runner-up in Group B and the winner of Group B will face the runner-up in Group A in the last four Malta’s Tony Drago is the only player in Group A with prior experience under the ‘900’ format having made his debut in the previous event in Hull where he lost to eventual champion Igor Figueiredo in the semi-finals the 2023 World Seniors Championship runner-up and current World Snooker Tour (WST) professional makes his ‘900’ debut in Epsom and will kick off the action on Monday afternoon when he meets Drago in the opening match from which the top two will advance to the semi-finals is completed by fellow debutant Rory McLeod – a former professional of over 30 years who famously defeated Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre during the 2017 World Championship Ken Doherty arrives in Epsom as the only player in the line-up to have previously lifted a title at a World Seniors Snooker 900 event On an emotional afternoon in County Kildare Doherty overcame Jimmy White in the final at the iconic Goffs to secure the crown in the same venue he used to work in as a boy Doherty and White will go head-to-head in the opening match of Group B on Monday afternoon and their group is completed by a debutant who won the 1996 British Open and reached the final of the 1995 World Championship during an illustrious career that spanned more than 30 years The action gets underway at 14:00 BST on Monday Limited tickets remain available – contact info@seniorssnooker.com As has been the case since anyone can remember The Corps were delighted to welcome the inspecting officer Lt Gen Sir Ralph Wooddisse who was extremely impressed with everything he witnessed and commented on the enthusiasm of the cadets and the enormous commitment displayed by Epsom’s staff Special mention went to RSM cadet Jacob and the three Heads of sections: Seren (RN section) James (RAF Section) and Harry (Army Section) The College was honoured to host Chaplain in Chief The Venerable Dr (Air Vice Marshall) Giles Legood He also commented on how impressed he was with our pupils and commended Epsom for the quality of its CCF march past and the honour guard – in front of an audience of parents Perhaps the stars of the day were the Band of the Irish Guards who were totally magnificent in playing both modern and traditional pieces the cadets competed in the inter-service obstacle course on Wilson pitch The highly sought-after trophy was won this year by the Royal Navy section – congratulations to them for a fantastic and well-deserved victory A significant feature of AGI Day is the Gun Run which this year was won by the Army/RAF section The Honour Guard was led with distinction by Sasha and her team practised and produced a faultless drill display in front of the VIPs the CCF House teams competed for the Epsom CCF House Trophy in a series of 12 stands set up around the CCF HQ is always fiercely contested and highly-coveted by all within the CCF the Epsom CCF House Trophy was awarded to Granville should be extremely proud of their efforts and were outstanding ambassadors for the College and thank you for your interest in Epsom College I became Epsom’s 16th Head in September 2024 and – in applying and ultimately accepting the role – I did much of what you It wasn’t just about finding a challenging and exciting new job I wanted to find a school that would also be right for my daughters and a place where my family would be happy There were lots of first impressions – the imposing buildings beautiful grounds and setting – to name just three but it was the warmth of the people and the sense of community that really drew us here Starting as a new Head gives me a wonderful opportunity to set out my beliefs and expectations I stand by the College’s values of kindness ambition and integrity and I expect everyone in this community to look after one another and to play a full role in the wider life of the College There are so many opportunities on offer here an outstanding staff to deliver them and encouragement in abundance I want pupils to approach life here with curiosity and a determination to discover new skills and talents And I want pupils to leave the College at the end of their journey with self-confidence as well as a sense of social responsibility mutual respect and understanding give us a cohesive community I hope that you will also discover a competitive school and one that fizzes with ambition We will pursue the best possible academic results while also seeking excellence in every area of school life from the sports pitches to the concert halls and stage and parents can genuinely contact or come and see me at any time – my door will always be open just 16% of young people from disadvantaged communities in the UK pursue A-levels with only 4.5% progressing to the country’s top universities This results in many talented students potentially missing higher education opportunities recent data from Ofqual reveals that around 30% of 18-year-olds across the UK take A-levels with 34% of state school pupils and 67% of private school pupils advancing to more selective universities RNCSF’s mission is clear and impactful: to break down barriers and ensure that young people who most need access to opportunities can attend state boarding and independent schools for all The partnership is about so much more than purely supporting young people with their academic studies SpringBoarders can access a range of experiences at Epsom – including co-curricular Epsom’s community is enriched by the contributions of the SpringBoard students who then share their valuable experiences with their previous schools when they return to visit Bursaries: More Than Just Financial Support is “determined that any full bursaries awarded find their way to the families who need it the most and where the opportunity is genuinely life changing,” This is where the partnership with RNCSF is so important as the charity ensures they place a student in a school that best matches their character and interests The positive effects are not just felt by the student receiving the bursary – it is a shift that impacts their family broadening the horizons of pupils at their previous school bursary recipients make their own decisions about whether they want their SpringBoard status to be widely known while others are happy to share their experiences the goal is to provide the young person with an outstanding education along with an incredible breadth of co-curricular opportunities While financial support makes this possible it is the character and drive of the SpringBoarders themselves that truly make the programme a success A Culture of Inclusion and Character Development Epsom College welcomes pupils from all backgrounds Inclusivity and respect are actively encouraged at Epsom reflecting the College’s core values of kindness An important part of pupil wellbeing is the development of good character – not just trying to maximise pupils’ exam performance This aligns very much with the RNCSF’s aims for SpringBoard students RNCSF brings together staff from its wide network of more than 200 schools to share experiences and best practice The charity’s most recent annual Schools’ Day included a session run by Head of Sixth Form “What I love about the SpringBoard programme is that it’s fundamentally about relationships – bringing people together from all backgrounds to help teenagers become their best selves.” says Nick He notes its connection to Epsom’s historic benevolent past: “Our relationship with RNCSF and these brilliant young people is very much a two-way process – a partnership of equals.” SpringBoarders have made a profound impact on the Epsom community “They have been fantastic – bringing energy but there’s no doubt we are a much better school for their presence.” Last year’s annual Schools’ Day – hosted at Epsom College Mark Lascelles hopes to expand bursary opportunities to support more children through a mix of both boarding and potentially day placements the feasibility of this depends on the generosity of donations to bursary funding Kioni Wynter attended Epsom College as a SpringBoarder from 2017 to 2019 after completing her GCSEs at Park View School near Tottenham The SpringBoard bursary provided experiences she never would have thought of such as sharing her room with a girl from Malaysia and lead to Kioni flying to Malaysia to visit her in the future Kioni threw herself into school life: serving as head student of her boarding house and managing backstage operations for drama productions A highlight was inviting the Ambassador of Estonia to dinner an experience that allowed Kioni to engage in discussions with a senior politician – an opportunity she never imagined before One of the most profound impacts of her time at Epsom was the confidence she gained “I no longer have imposter syndrome and walk into a room feeling that I have as much right to be there as any other adult.” Kioni after climbing the 272 steps at the Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur The differences between her previous school and Epsom were striking textbooks were in short supply and shared among students I received my own anthology set from Mr Russell I’ve kept it as a memento of my time at the College and it reminds me of the academic opportunities I experienced.” Boarding was a new and sometimes challenging experience; however it became one of the most rewarding aspects of her time at Epsom Living alongside students from diverse backgrounds fostered deep connections and a keen sense of community She built lifelong friendships with peers from around the world Boarding also eased her transition to university life making the move to halls feel more natural and familiar A pivotal moment in Kioni’s journey came at an Epsom alumni event where she was introduced to Law as a career choice she pursued a degree in Law at the University of Edinburgh and is now completing her master’s degree at the University of Law in Moorgate With those skills and her thirst for knowledge she is volunteering at legal clinics in Camden Her next ambition is to qualify as a solicitor by obtaining her SQE Kioni describes it as “a rollercoaster” – full of challenges she gained more than just an education; she found the confidence and direction that continues to shape her future Liviu Stanciu joined Epsom’s Sixth Form as a SpringBoarder in 2021 after attending Kelmscott School in Walthamstow his story is a testament to how transformative the SpringBoard programme can be Q: How did the SpringBoard programme benefit you Liviu: Attending a private boarding school was transformative breaking economic barriers and providing opportunities I never imagined boosted my confidence and helped me to excel boarding school exposed me to a completely different way of life – living away from home taught me independence and resilience before moving to the UK in search of better opportunities I was already accustomed to cultural shifts I was shocked by the stark contrast of boarding school I embraced the opportunity to share my experiences I was able to show my peers that hard work and determination can break down any barrier – that success is not dictated by where you come from Liviu: The co-curricular activities were incredible became an NCO and eventually flew a plane – an unforgettable experience I gave talks on the importance of minority groups and delivered speeches in Chapel – something I never thought I would have the confidence to do Becoming a prefect and representing my House and singing in the Choral Competition were all experiences I once never considered I take the greatest pride in my character growth – becoming someone who is willing to step up Q: What are your overall thoughts on the programme my peers and teachers were invaluable – they consistently looked out for me ensuring I thrived both academically and personally This programme is a life-changing opportunity for ambitious young people who have the drive to succeed but lack the resources to do so I deeply understood the value of hard work and perseverance I always looked up to my mother as a source of strength I was able to not only make her proud but also give back in a way that felt meaningful Liviu: My proudest achievement at Epsom was my personal growth everything was completely new – I was stepping into an unfamiliar environment with people from different backgrounds I did not even know boarding schools existed Living away from my parents and sharing a House with a group of boys forced me to mature quickly The experience prepared me for university life helping me adapt to independence and structure the transition to university would have been much harder The experiences I gained at Epsom didn’t just prepare me academically – they helped shape the person I am today Liviu: I am in my second year at the University of Nottingham My aim is to work in aviation management or marketing but I refuse to let that hinder my education Epsom taught me resilience and the importance of embracing who I am I know I want a career that allows me to connect with people and engage with innovative ideas Liviu: This journey was not easy – I struggled with imposter syndrome and questioning whether I belonged But to anyone on this programme: never be ashamed Embrace the fact that you are on a bursary Reminding myself of that is what kept my head high and I hope it does the same for others walking a similar path Liviu would be happy to correspond with anyone about his experience as a SpringBoarder – whether they are pupils, staff, parents, current SpringBoarders, or donors. He can be contacted via his LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liviu-stanciu-78846b305/ Liviu previously studied at Kelmscott School benefitting 23 students to date who have attended boarding schools across the UK highlights the programme’s growing popularity “despite the highly competitive selection process its proven impact continues to drive increasing interest.” Transitioning to a boarding school such as Epsom College represents a major change New challenges include adapting to unfamiliar routines and engaging with peers from a range of backgrounds Kelmscott School plays a key role in helping families navigate the process Many parents are unfamiliar with bursaries provide direct support – helping with uniform purchases and staying in close contact with pupils (and their families) after they start at Epsom and thrive in their new environments.” One former pupil even used her newfound confidence and skills to present a case to her local council successfully securing permanent housing for her family Many past pupils choose to return to their communities to give back creating a powerful cycle of positive change which RNCSF refers to as “the ripple effect” Bursaries changes lives – not just for the pupils who receive them Our programmes prove that with the right support young people can achieve incredible things To read more about the Royal National Children’s SpringBoard Foundation (RNCSF), click here The line-up for the Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 event at Epsom next month has now been confirmed with Jimmy White and Ken Doherty headlining a six-player field ‘The Whirlwind’ and ‘The Darling of Dublin’ will be joined by Malta’s Tony Drago, who makes his second appearance under the format, as well as debutants Nigel Bond, Alfie Burden and Rory McLeod Learn more about each of the six competitors in Epsom below: The record-breaking four-time World Seniors Snooker champion Jimmy White will head to Epsom aiming to secure his maiden Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 title ‘The Whirlwind’ has reached the final of all three previous events under the format, including in Epsom twelve months ago, but is yet to secure the title having suffered defeats to Stephen Hendry, Ken Doherty and Igor Figueiredo respectively The ten-time ranking event winner and former Masters champion will be aiming to go one better and take home the title next month Former world champion Ken Doherty maintains his ever-present record at Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 events and will be looking for a repeat of his emotional victory on home soil back in March The 1997 Crucible winner, who still competes on the World Snooker Tour, defeated Tony Knowles, Fergal O’Brien and Jimmy White to earn a famous victory at the iconic Goffs venue in Ireland ‘The Darling of Dublin’ will head to Epsom hoping to round off the year in style with another success Malta’s Tony Drago will bring his remarkably fast-paced play to Epsom next month for his second appearance in a Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 event The man known as ‘The Tornado’ made his debut under the format in Hull back in September and will be looking to improve on a run to the semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Igor Figueiredo A former ranking event semi-finalist with a professional career spanning over thirty years Drago has reached the semi-finals of the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible Theatre in 2023 and 2024 Nigel Bond is one of three players who will make their Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 debut in Epsom next month The 58-year-old from England maintained an unbroken spell as a professional between 1989 and 2022 and won a ranking event title in 1996 when he defeated John Higgins 9-8 in the British Open final Bond reached the World Championship final in 1995, losing to Stephen Hendry at the Crucible Theatre and also made it to back-to-back World Seniors Championship finals – defeating Tony Chappel in the final in 2012 Another Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 debutant, Alfie Burden will compete for the title in Epsom in December Burden reached the final of the 2023 World Seniors Championship at the iconic Crucible Theatre with impressive victories over former world champions Ken Doherty and Stephen Hendry, before losing to Jimmy White in the title match A four-time ranking event quarter-finalist the London cueist has competed on the World Snooker Tour for over 20 years and regained his professional status in 2021 via Q School Former professional Rory McLeod completes the line up in Epsom as another player making his Mr Vegas World Seniors Snooker 900 debut next month A professional over a spell of more than 30 years McLeod reached the last 16 of ranking events on 11 occasions – including at the Crucible Theatre in 2017 where he famously defeated Judd Trump in the opening round The 53-year-old is a regular competitor on the World Seniors Snooker tour and won one of this season’s Race To The Crucible series events in Reading earlier this year As well as the unique and exciting action on the table, there will also be a VIP Legends Lunch which will offer the chance to meet snooker legends Dennis Taylor and John Virgo where pupils performed in front of eager parents the day celebrated both musical talent and the sense of community fostered through orchestral collaboration Following morning rehearsals and a well-earned lunch parents and guests were welcomed to Main Hall for afternoon tea before enjoying the concert in Big School The young musicians delighted the audience with performances of well-loved film scores including pieces from The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean this was their first experience playing in public as part of such a large ensemble pupils were treated to a special performance by the College’s music scholars Several of the scholars also generously volunteered their time to support the afternoon rehearsals providing mentorship and inspiration to the younger musicians This year’s Strings Day welcomed pupils from: Banstead Prep The aim was to raise money for three local charities who help to make a positive impact on the lives of young people: Activities on offer at the Charity Fair were ‘Sponge the Teacher’ (Robinson House) ‘Guess What’s in the Box’ (Holman House) face-painting and temporary tattoos (Wilson House) ‘The Lucky Dip’ and ‘Down the Cans’ (Murrell House) ice cream sundaes and brownies (Raven House) ‘Throw a Pie at the Charity Rep’ (Propert House) and a deluxe hot chocolate and popcorn stall The pupils raised approximately £1,400 in one hour for our chosen charities and there was a brilliant sense of goodwill and a great energy in the Mermaid Café as pupils of all ages took part in a variety of activities and enjoyed the food that was on offer energy and imagination to make this fair a success We are so grateful to all of you who help to organise these charity events and emphasise the important work that each of these charities is doing locally and internationally – making a positive difference in the lives of others teams of three had five minutes to speak on a subject of their choice Each team was made up of three speakers: the Chair who introduced the topic; the Main Speaker who delved deeper into the subject; and the Vote of Thanks Schools taking part in the event included: Each school submitted strong teams who presented a variety of intriguing topics The range of subjects covered included Money Can’t Buy Happiness How to Talk Like a Pirate in Three Easy Steps and Is Being Prime Minister the Best Job in the World explored How Does Reading Change the World? Congratulations to the trio for both enlightening and entertaining the audience with their thought-provoking presentation We would also like to extend our thanks to the event judges Former music teacher Peter Thomas was censured and struck off by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal in 2024 after having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student at Epsom Girls' Grammar School The files shared by McNaughton included lengthy notes on the girl’s allegations about Thomas and court information the school was not legally allowed to disclose and it freaks me out,” former student Mia (not her real name) told the Herald especially when they have been asking for confidentiality through the process “It’s what I asked for back in high school and it’s an odd feeling to see that breached years after the fact “There’s stuff in there I don’t talk to people about McNaughton said the safety and privacy of students were paramount and that the confidential information was shared in error in response to an Official Information Act request “We are reviewing our procedures to ensure this does not happen again.” were blacked out but no attempts appear to have been made to conceal Mia’s identity Mia said she was told of the privacy breach on April 14 but the school had not contacted her about the error we’ve accidentally let people know about this horrible thing that happened while you were at school.’” Mia was the first teen to accuse Thomas of misconduct alleging in 2018 and 2019 that he was having erections in class “more often than not” her complaints were not upheld or made public Thomas denied the allegations at the time and told the Herald through his lawyer Mitchell said this week that Thomas had asked the school to share what information had been disclosed in the privacy breach Thomas was censured and struck off in 2024 for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a different student in 2019 Mia decided to come forward last year when McNaughton emailed parents and caregivers in September as soon as the school was made aware of “verified allegations” against Thomas She said she experienced guilt and regret that her earlier complaint against Thomas had not resulted in action that might have prevented his sexual misconduct against another student After the Herald published Mia’s story last year encouraging them to contact the school with any concerns Herald senior editor Matt Martel responded to her message with a series of questions from his personal email account He did not get a response from anyone at the school until March 11 after he filed an OIA request and copied in the Ministry of Education on February 25 nearly five months after Martel’s questions were filed she answered his questions and attached documents relating to Mia’s complaint Some of the files attached outlined Mia’s real name her allegations against Thomas and highly sensitive personal information The Privacy Commissioner would not comment on the school’s privacy breach saying only: “The Privacy Act protects the personal information of all New Zealanders government departments and businesses can collect the Ministry of Education’s hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro (North) said the Privacy Act mandated all agencies to meet their obligations under the act and to have a privacy officer who could provide guidance on compliance obligations Also included in McNaughton’s email was a document created by the school summarising the allegations and the investigation that was undertaken The document states: “If a male teacher was coming to class with an erection it is reasonable to believe that more than one person would notice No other student has come forward to allege that this was or is occurring.” Documents from the 2019 investigation show that the school didn’t believe Mia and questioned the truth of her allegations if a male teacher was coming to class with an erection the school would have quickly known about it The documents also questioned whether it was reasonable to believe that a male teacher would consistently develop an erection before specific time slots across two terms is the fact that all teachers are very aware of personal boundaries and all teachers are aware of their professional responsibilities and standards.” The document said it would be reasonable to believe that other teachers would have noticed if the alleged erections were occurring the investigation finds that there is no evidence to support the allegation.” The school also concluded it was satisfied that what “has been alleged was not occurring” Mia said learning the extent of the “investigation” was also upsetting I did feel that they had brushed me off and I wasn’t sure how much of an investigation they had done But actually knowing that the investigation wasn’t all that thorough is very different to suspecting Because you still want to believe the best in them.” it would have been nice for them to have watched over a class or popped in unexpectedly “I wish they would have taken me more seriously.” Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers social issues including sexual assault Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Police and customs received information about the importation through Lyttleton Port.