The Derby start time changed to avoid FA Cup Final clash on huge live sport day

26 April 2023 , 14:03

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The Derby will start at 1.30pm this year (Image: Getty Images)

This year’s Derby is to be run at 1.30pm after organisers were forced to move the start time for the historic race to avoid a clash with the FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Manchester United.

Horse racing’s most famous Classic was originally scheduled in its regular 4.30pm slot ahead of an expected 5.30pm FA Cup final with ITV showing live coverage of both events on Saturday, June 3.

Yet following a decision to move the FA Cup Final kick-off time to 3pm after police deemed it a high-risk fixture, the Jockey Club announced the Betfred Derby would go off earlier in the day.

It will now be the second contest of an eight-race programme at Epsom, with the first due off at 12.50pm. The last race of the day will be run at 5.05pm.

James Crespi, general manager of Epsom Downs Racecourse , said: “This year, the first Saturday in June will play host to two Derby’s and two of Britain’s great sporting events.

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“In order to give fans of both horse racing and football the opportunity to enjoy the Betfred Derby and the FA Cup Final and to maximise the publicity and exposure of these two iconic sporting occasions, which will both be broadcast live on ITV1, we have made some changes to our usual schedule.

“We are grateful to our partners at ITV and our generous sponsors Betfred for their help in facilitating the move, and we can’t wait for what is sure to be a great afternoon for British sport.”

The Derby was last moved to avoid a clash with football in 1996 when the race coincided with England’s opening match of the European Championships when it was staged at 2.25pm.

Jon Lees