Arrests made as Auguste Rodin claims Epsom derby victory

Trainer Aiden O'Brien has claimed his ninth Derby victory at Epsom, after Auguste Rodin won the big race.

Jockey Ryan Moore rode the 9-to-2 shot to victory over King of Steele and White Birch.

Despite threats of protests by campaign group Animal Rising, only one made it on to the course - but didn't disturb the race.

As audiences waited excitedly for the Betfred Derby, the first major race of the day, a man jumped the fence and rushed on to the course.

He was pursued by police as the crowd jeered, with some shouting "get him", before being pulled away and tackled to the ground where he was handcuffed.

Minutes later, a woman tried to jump the fence in front of the Grandstand as police officers rushed to stop her.

Angry onlookers could be heard screaming, with one man shouting, "kick her head in", while police threw her to the floor and handcuffed her just as the horses thundered past the finish line.

Last week, the Jockey Club, which owns Epsom Downs, was granted the injunction against Animal Rising, claiming it had made "explicitly clear" it intended to breach security at the racecourse.

And on Friday, a spokesman for the group pledged to "cancel or severely postpone" the event.

There was disruption at the Grand National at Aintree in April when the race was delayed by just over 10 minutes after demonstrators made their way on to the track and had to be removed by police.

In a statement on their website after the race, Animal Rising said: "After weeks of speculation and discussion, Animal Rising has disrupted the Epsom Derby.

"After the group hit headlines when it disrupted the Grand National at Aintree, once more it is putting the spotlight on our broken relationship with other animals and nature."

They quoted Kerri Waters, who they claimed was one of the disrupters, as saying they chose to intervene against horses being used as "objects and property".

Surrey Police make 31 arrests

Surrey Police have confirmed 31 people have been arrested in connection with planned criminal activity at the Epsom Derby Festival.

Eleven people were arrested at addresses in Mitcham and Byfleet in the early hours, following warrants based on intelligence received ahead of the Epsom Derby Festival.

A further eight people were arrested after their vehicle was stopped on Canons Lane in Burgh Heath at around 10.20am this morning. All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit public nuisance and remain in police custody.

A total of 12 people have been arrested within the Epsom Downs racecourse since the event began this morning, also in connection with planned criminal activity.

One man was arrested after he ran onto the racetrack after a race had started. He was quickly removed by event security and police officers, meaning the race was not disrupted.

Chief Superintendent Clive Davies said: “Our officers and event security responded quickly and decisively after a man ran onto the racetrack after a race had begun.

“We will not tolerate criminal behaviour which puts lives in danger, including those of the animals, jockeys, security staff and our officers.”

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