Englands Premier Race
Each year, the English Classics horse races are run, and the Epsom Derby is part of this top five. In addition to being top betting events similar to other races in the English Triple Crown, the Epsom Derby has it’s own fascinating archives. However, what makes the Epsom Derby Stakes key is that it set the stage for all other Thoroughbred ‘Derby’ events that followed.
Setting the stage for the word ‘derby’
In the late 1600s, the Thoroughbred breed was created by mixing Arabian studs with English mares. While this is a famous type of horse now, back then it was just beginning. As this type of horse gained popularity, a large race featuring only Thoroughbreds was sure to follow. In 1780, the first Epsom Derby was started by the 12th Earl of Derby. The race was named after him, but what is fascinating is that by 1875, most major Thoroughbred races began to call their biggest events a ‘derby’ also. Eleven years after the first Epsom Derby, in 1791, the first closed stud book was developed, and Thoroughbred horse racing was on it’s way. The Epsom Derby is also known as The Derby, Derby Stakes, and English Derby.
History of Epsom Downs
Was Epsom Downs a famous place before the first Epsom Derby? Located in Surrey, England, Epsom Downs predated the Epsom Derby by several years. Starting in the late 1600s, people would come from miles around to take a bath in the water found in the town of Epsom for therapeutic reasons. Today we know these crystals as Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), and they are still commonly used for bathing.
Despite this, the first horse race at Epsom Downs was held before mineral water was discovered. In 1661, horse racing began at the Epsom Downs and was still in play when the 12th Earl of Derby decided to have his horse race.
Epsom Derby almost called Bunbury Derby
Imagine if the Epsom Derby had been called the Epsom Bunbury instead. Could we have the same excitement each year if it was called the Kentucky Bunbury? While it sounds funny to say out loud, the truth is that the Epsom Derby was named over a coin toss. Of course, we know that the 12th Earl of Derby won, but the name of this historic race was almost after Sir Charles Bunbury. In a twist of fate, Sir Bunbury’s horse, Diomed won the first Epsom Derby on May 4, 1780 and accepted a purse of over £1,000.
British Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
Over the years, the Epsom Derby has remained as a top English Thoroughbred horse racing event. The Grade 1 race has also historically had one of the top purses for the entire country. Currently, this rivals parts of the Royal Ascot at an estimated £1,325,000. However, what the Epsom Derby has that the Royal Ascot does not, is the British Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.
As the second pearl on this Trifecta, the Epsom Derby has been part of the Triple Crown since 1853 (winner West Australia). Sharing the spotlight are the 2,000 Guineas Stakes (at Newmarket) and the Saint Leger Stakes (at Town Moor). Like the American Triple Crown, there has been a problem with having a winner. While the last U.S. Triple Crown winner was in 1978, the last one for the British was in 1970 (Nijinsky).
New Kentucky Derby link to Epsom Derby?
When the Kentucky Derby announced a new system for selecting the 20 contenders for the 2013 race, an eye-opener was the inclusion of an English horse race. While most of the 30 races prior to the Kentucky Derby are in America, two are overseas. Could this mean that the Epsom Derby was getting ramped up further into the spotlight? Unfortunately, the prep season race for the Road to the Roses is primed for the Royal Lodge in Newmarket, England. Following the British Horse Racing Classics and Triple Crown esteem, Newmarket is the home of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes.
Odd events in Epsom Derby history
Throughout it’s 230 years of history, the Epsom Derby has picked up a couple of amusing headlines. Below are some of these bizarre sports facts and stories related to the Epsom Derby.
· In 1869, the future British Prime Minister, the 5th Earl of Rosebery was expelled from Oxford for entering his horse into the Epsom Derby. His horse came in last place. Then, in 1894, he ran a horse in the Epsom Derby again (during the time he was Prime Minister) and won first place.
· Prince William and Princess Catherine had their first public outing at the Epsom Derby in June 2011. Their horse, Carlton House placed third in the race.
· In 1952, a Herbert Wilcox film about the Epsom Derby is recorded called, “Derby Day.”
· The first American horse, Iroquois, won the Epsom Derby in 1881.
· Epsom Derby winner Humorist dies two weeks after winning the 1921 race.
· The last grey horse to win the Epsom Derby was in 1946 (Airborne).
· In 1996, the first female jockey, Alex Greaves, rides in the Epsom Derby.
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