Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. It is nine children on ponies flying faster than a speeding bullet (if Speeding Bullet is the name of a very slow horse) on the home straight of Epsom Downs Racecourse.

The cape-costumed crusaders were given free reign of the course, which is usually reserved for elite thoroughbreds and professional jockeys, to Marvel at and enjoy with their four-legged companions.

Evie Tozer, six, brought her miniature Shetland pony Jim Jam 20 miles from Chertsey.

She said: “It was amazing to ride on the racetrack at Epsom. Jim Jam and I may be small but we are brave and weren’t at all scared by the racehorse.”

Ruby Beams, eight, from Walton on the Hill, went up against ex-racehorse Ambivalent About and, quick as The Flash, won.

She said: “My pony, Gem, loved it on the racecourse. She is super speedy, I knew she’d be able to beat a racehorse!”

Epsom Downs will host a family fun day on bank holiday Monday, August 28, with racing and children’s entertainment including zip wires, bouncy castles, races and more.

There will also be the chance to see behind the scenes at the stables of eight local trainers in the morning, with children having free entry to both events.

Phil White, regional director of Jockey Club Racecourses London region, said: "Our Superheroes Return Family Fun Day is always a hugely popular event. But we wanted to do something special to give some of our local youngsters the chance to ride on the course itself, which we obviously can't do on a race day.

"Everyone had a fantastic time and it was great to see the smiles on everyone's faces - even if seeing nine superheroes taking on a jockey and a racehorse did come as a bit of a shock to some of our staff on the morning."

Advance adult (over 18) tickets cost £20 for the stables open day and racing, £16 for just racing or £7.50 for just the open day.

Tickets can be purchased here. For more information about the family fun day click here, and for information about the trainers open day click here.