Devendra Kumar
As the crowd waited anxiously for the start of the Betfred Derby, a man suddenly jumped the fence and rushed onto the course, prompting a frantic pursuit by police. The man, whose motives remained unclear, was tackled to the ground and handcuffed as the crowd jeered and shouted “get him” in the process. Just minutes later, a second individual attempted to scale the fence in front of the Grandstand, but was swiftly apprehended by police officers who threw her to the ground and handcuffed her. The commotion unfolded just as the horses were thundering past the finish line, causing a distraction from the main event.
The arrests marked a dramatic turn of events for the Animal Rising activists, who had threatened to disrupt the Epsom Derby following a similar stunt at the Grand National in April. The group, known for its animal rights activism, had claimed to be protesting the treatment of horses as “objects and property” in the racing industry. Surrey Police had received intelligence suggesting that 19 individuals were planning to engage in illegal activities at the event, leading to a robust policing presence on the day.
Speaking ahead of the race, Superintendent Michael Hodder of Surrey Police re-emphasized his force’s commitment to maintaining public order and preventing criminal activity at the Epsom Derby Festival. The incident served as a stark reminder of the lengths to which animal rights activists will go to draw attention to their causes, and highlighted the delicate balance that must be struck between free speech and the need to preserve public safety.