Derby Diaries

I didn’t attend the Derby until 1989, when I was the Trainee Clerk of the Course for what was then United Racecourses (Epsom, Kempton and Sandown). This was Nashwan’s year, and I followed his Derby in one of the support vehicles that track the field as the Trainee in those days attended every start. I had a distant view from the bottom of Tattenham Corner of a chestnut in blue silks storming clear, with a nearby tannoy booming out the horses.

I’ve been asked this many times and always give two winners – Galileo in 2001 and Sea The Stars in 2009. Great winners on the day, but also because what both of them went on to do as stallions, including siring Derby winners, which to me is what the race is all about. Honourable mention also to Workforce in 2010, as to this day I can hardly believe the record time that he clocked – 2 minutes 31.33 seconds.

Has to be the current ante-post favourite, The Lion In Winter, in part because he is a son of Sea The Stars.

I’d imagine that Shergar in 1981 must have been the ultimate armchair ride for the brilliant Walter Swinburn.

Whilst we knew that the first Derby was run over 1 mile, we always believed that it started away from the current 5 Furlongs Course beyond the pub at Tattenham Corner. Recent research has now shown that it actually started beyond the far side of the current 1 Mile start in the back straight, and there is a plaque on the outside of the running rail indicating the spot.

A medium rare steak, probably ribeye, with fries – Dijon mustard for the steak and mayo for the fries – washed down with a full-bodied red, Barolo or similar

Jim Allen took up the mantle as Epsom Downs General Manager in October 2024 and is heading into his first Betfred Derby Festival. A true racing lover, Jim’s fascination with the great sport started at a young age and a fantastic career sees him now at the helm of the racecourse delivering the greatest flat race in the world.

Jim’s life has revolved around horse racing, right from his early years all the way through to his new role! “As a toddler, I would ride my rocking horse while the races were on, and I would cry if Lester Piggott lost a race—apparently! Growing up in an Irish family, I was immersed in the culture of watching races and placing bets. By the age of ten, I could write and calculate any bet, and I even managed to place my first wager in the shop by the age of twelve!”.

Inspired by the movie Phar Lap during his youth, Jim decided he wanted to train his own racehorse one day. To pursue this dream, he went to Epsom to work for Roger Curtis on weekends and during holidays and later attended university to study equine science. His early career involved the successful management of two UK racecourses, Huntingdon and Sedgefield, before serving as Racing Director at Arena Racing Company (ARC) between 2006 and 2015. In this role he oversaw the operational running of more than 500 fixtures a year and his accomplishments included the innovation of the All-Weather Championships, the introduction of the new Tapeta racing surface at Newcastle and Wolverhampton racecourses and launch of sectional timing at all ARC tracks.

Jim went on to train racehorses across the US and in France between 2016 and 2022, before joining Tapeta Footings as its Operations Director in 2023 to create new racing surfaces at iconic US racecourses such as Belmont Park and Santa Anita. His return to the UK saw a stint as Operations Director at British Champions Series before joining team Epsom Downs after the successful delivery of British Champions Day.

As the 2025 Betfred Derby Festival approaches, Jim is filled with excitement and anticipation.

"I guess what I’m looking forward to most is putting on a successful show that everyone can enjoy, both on-course and on television, in the UK and internationally. I'm hoping to introduce a few changes that will elevate the Derby back to where it belongs: The greatest flat race in the world."