"Frank Warren Urges Respect for Epsom Derby: The World’s Premier Horse Race Deserves to Thrive"

STANDING by the finishing line of the world’s greatest horse race, a 13-year-old Frank Warren learned to think on his feet at the Epsom Derby.

Now the veteran boxing promoter, who worked with the likes of and , is returning to the famous Surrey course to bring back those glory days.

Frank Warren is returning to the famous Surrey course to bring back those glory days Credit: PA Epsom will be abuzz with excitement on Derby day next weekend Credit: supplied

spent his youth dressed in his best suit at the commuter- belt course, helping his bookmaker father by reporting back on the odds being offered by rivals.

In the pre-war years half a million people would turn up for , and shut up shop for the day so that MPs could cheer on their favourite horses.

Past winners of the mile-and- a-half flat race include .

has a stand named after her and was very animated about her thoroughbreds’ chances in the race.

But paid attendance at last year’s Derby dropped to 22,000, and it has been overshadowed by other nations’ races which took its name, such as the .

So this year Frank is putting on a party to attract younger crowds to the world’s oldest major flat race, which was first run in 1780 — and will next come under starter’s orders a week today.

is providing the DJs in the Grandstand Enclosure, while are performing live at a free festival on The Hill.

Meanwhile, the Jockey Club has boosted the prize money for the race to £2million to attract the best runners and riders for this year’s Blue Riband event.

Frank tells The Sun: “This is one of the world’s premier, if not the premier, horse race and meeting, and it should be treated as such.

“The industry should be treated as such, for what it does, and the money it generates for the country, the jobs it gives. Don’t kill it and tax it into the ground.

“People need some enjoyment in life, they need some recreation, and that’s what we should be doing, and they should be getting behind success ­stories — and the Derby is a success story.

“It’s a premier event in the British and world sporting calendar and we should treat it with respect — and obviously the Government should get behind that.”

dates from the 1640s — and its most famous race was named on the toss of a coin between the 12th Earl of Derby and horse breeder Sir Charles Bunbury.

The Earl called it right, earning him the honour of giving his name to the inaugural 1780 race.

In 1965, when Frank first worked at , it was held on a Wednesday.
It attracted huge crowds who would take the day off work to be there.

Prince Monolulu who kept the crowd entertained in between races Credit: Getty The Queen with her winner Carrozza in 1957 Credit: Getty

Frank recalls: “It was absolutely mobbed. I remember [tipster] Prince Monolulu selling his tips.

“He used to say, ‘I’ve got a horse, I’ve got a horse’ — there were so many characters there, fabulous.”

Frank says of his time in the bookmaking world: “In those days it was different, there was no ­electronic stuff.

“It was all the tic-tac man and all the chalking up. I used to chalk up the runners on the board and I worked as an ‘outside man’ and eventually I got and took the bets.

Lester Piggott on 1970 Derby winner Nijinsky Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd Winner rider Caoilin Quinn Credit: Getty

“It was a good learning experience for me. It helped me out with my boxing in some ways, because you had to think on your feet all the time.”

Frank was there at the 1970 Derby, when the legendary .

He says: “I had a few winners over the years, and a couple of losers — probably more losers than winners, if I’m being very honest.

“But it’s the thrill of it all, the atmosphere, and when they’re ­coming to that finishing line it was just great, especially where our pitches were right on the line.”

Indie band The Hoosiers headline the festival on the Friday during Ladies Day and Pixie Lott performs on the Saturday night Credit: Getty – Contributor Frank says: ‘It’s a sport of kings and queens, but it’s the sport of the people as well’ Credit: Alamy

This year Frank will be in his top hat and tails when he is in stand, with its strict dress code and £145 entry fee.

He will also be at the free festival on The Hill, which has a great view of the race.

Frank’s firm Queensberry is behind the entertainment at the all-new DerbyFest, and he says: “It’s racing for everybody.

“Queensberry and the Jockey Club are opening the sport up to a broader, younger demographic, making it the premier festival experience and 100 per cent free on The Hill.”

Indie band The Hoosiers headline the festival on the Friday during and Pixie Lott performs on the Saturday night.

With the crisis, the free parking and free entrance for under-18s will also be welcome.

In the paid-for, more exclusive Grandstand Enclosure, there will be “Ibiza vibes” and fine dining.

Frank adds: “It’s a sport of kings and queens, but it’s the sport of the people as well.

“Whether you live in a block of flats or Buckingham Palace, it’s a great day out.”