This year’s Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs is due to launch on Friday, May 31 with Ladies Day, followed by the Investec Derby Day on June 1.

This year, Epsom Downs Racecourse has teamed up with SAS: Who Dares Wins’ chief instructor, Ant Middleton to explore the supreme test of the racehorse with the help of Investec Derby Festival Ambassadors, model and DJ Vogue Williams and Derby winning jockey, Frankie Dettori.

A huge horseracing fan himself, Ant visited Derby winning trainer, Michael Bell’s yard in Newmarket to unpick both the physical and psychological training that go into creating the best Flat racing thoroughbreds, exploring a variety of elements including; cardio fitness, nutrition, physiotherapy, veterinary support and breeding.

Ant compared and contrasted his own fitness experience to develop key five guidelines for humans to learn from. These include: calmness, routine, consistency, adaptability and physical training.

He said: “Understanding what makes horses race-ready and ultimately Derby winners has been fascinating. The overwhelming learning from my time with Michael Bell, his team and his elite horses, is that routine, balance and a calm environment are integral to producing a winner”.

For the second part of the activity at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Ant put Ladies Day ambassador and fitness fanatic Vogue Williams to the test with the physical training part of his guide, showcasing how bursts of HIIT, plyometrics, and stamina work can support your regime.

As well as exploring the fitness of racehorses, Vogue Williams has been planning her outfits as she tackles the supreme test of the Wardrobe for Investec Ladies Day.

Vogue, a long-standing supporter of the event, will judge the 2019 Style Award on Ladies Day, a much-coveted title in partnership with ChiChi London.

The Style Award winner will win a luxury trip for four people to Paris for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend, including a two nights stay at 4* Le Meridien Hotel, as well as a year’s worth of dresses from ChiChi London and a bespoke hat by Jessica Rea Millinery.

The Investec Derby Festival features the World’s Greatest Flat Race, and this year the unveiling of a statue of the race’s most successful jockey, Lester Piggott. This will be the first of nine life-size bronze statues at racecourses around the country, sculpted by Willie Newton of the nine-time Derby winning jockey.

Alongside the racing, expect to find a whole host of entertainment, from skydivers to celebrity DJ after-parties with Vogue Williams on Friday and Dave Goodings on Saturday.

Tickets for both days of the Investec Derby Festival are selling fast, with a limited number still available, so to avoid disappointment, book now.