Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

Female protestors cause Epsom Derby delay by lying on ground in middle of track

A group of protesters who ran onto the track before the Epsom Derby were taken away by police after causing the race to be delayed.

The protesters appeared to be holding banners and laid on the ground in the middle of the course around 75 yards from the finish line. Police and security quickly intervened and dragged them away.

Videos on social media showed the protesters being carried off into a police van. Animal rights campaign group Animal Rebellion has claimed responsibility for the incident, stating that six of their members "entered the course at Epsom with sashes reading 'Animal Justice'".

Desert Crown ultimately won the Derby on Saturday afternoon in dominant fashion, finishing clear of Hoo Ya Mal in second. Speaking to ITV after the win, jockey Richard Kingscote said: "You can't really [put it into words]. As a kid I was useless but I've had a lot of support.

"He's obviously got a huge amount of class, he jumped great, travelled great, turned in going really well. It was all lovely.

"He's got a lot of class and gave me a lot of confidence, it's all about him and Sir Michael really. He's a lovely horse and a lovely gentleman trains him."

Protesters are taken away by police after running onto the racecourse on day two of the Epsom Derby (Leon Neal/Getty Images)
The protesters laid down on the track, causing the race to be delayed (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Westover finished third and in the Derby and jockey Rob Hornby said: "He settled beautifully for me. I had tabs on Desert Crown and was happy to work my way out.

"I had the gap coming across the road and the gap closed faster than I could get into it. It's tough because he really rattled home well."

"He's a huge talent to look forward to but it's frustrating. Oh well!"

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.