Kokova Magazine

In less than four weeks the world’s glare will turn to the unique setting of Epsom Downs Racecourse, as the Investec Derby Festival, the pinnacle of the sporting and social calendars, returns on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th June 2011.

Surrey will host ‘Britain’s Biggest Day Out featuring the World’s Greatest Flat’ for the 231st time in the Derby’s lengthy history.

The two-day Investec Derby Festival opens with a flash of fashion on Ladies Day. A thrilling day of racing, featuring the Investec Oaks and Investec Coronation Cup, fights for the limelight as ladies dressed to the nines flock to Epsom to battle it out to win the coveted best dressed prize.

The annual Style on the Downs competition will be judged by a panel of celebrity fashionistas and rewards the most stylish lady at Investec Ladies Day.

Saturday sees another day of high stakes on and off the course, with the highlight being the Investec Derby, the world's greatest flat race, which is worth £1.25 million in prize money.

From ‘tops n tails’ in the Queens Stand, to the free-to-all carnival scene spanning the hill, the day offers an attraction for everyone and a place to see and be seen.

The day attracts a crowd of 100,000 from across the world; all hoping to see history being made as the 2011 Investec Derby winner is crowned.

Guest of honour at this year’s Investec Derby Festival will be Walter Swinburn, who famously rode Shergar to victory in the Derby 30 years ago, shortly before the horse was kidnapped and never found.

The jockey-turned-trainer will be joined by famous faces from the racing world, including Frankie Dettori, Clare Balding and Willie Carson.

International supermodel Erin O’Connor will take on the role of the Official Face of the Investec Derby Festival and will wear a bespoke hat created by the flamboyant milliner Louis Mariette, which will also influence Erin’s Derby dress, a creation by up and coming fashion designer Felicity Brown; capturing the bold and eclectic nature of the Derby as the first event of the summer social calendar sets the standard for the fashion pack to follow.

Rupert Trevelyan, Managing Director for Epsom Downs Racecourse commented:

I am delighted to announce the involvement of Erin and Louis throughout the 2011 Investec Derby Festival. We have people at the top of their professions supporting horseracing and the Investec Derby Festival, what more could we want? It is sure to be a true fashion spectacle.

Tickets for the Investec Derby Festival are now on sale. To buy tickets call 0844 848 0197 or visit www.epsomdowns.co.uk