The Epsom Derby

The history of the Epsom Derby dates right back to the 1780s, and Derby Day is still considered to be the greatest flat race in the world. The Epsom Derby is famously the "race that everyone wants to win", with its challenging course filled with twists, turns and obstacles that push the horses and their riders to the limit. Nothing compares to the atmosphere at a Derby Day, and even in modern times it has still remained a popular day out with all of the classes. Held in Epsom, a town first made famous for its natural mineral water after a local farmer, Henry Wicker discovered the natural spring watering hole on the Downs in 1681, and took his cattle to drink there - with locals soon swearing by the healing properties of the water. This promise drew up the crowds from London who wanted to "take the water" and escape the squalor of the overcrowded city. The first recorded race at Epsom was held on the Downs in 1661, with races fast becoming a popular tradition and continuing until the summer of 1780, when the Epsom Derby is said to have first begun by Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby. Stanley organised this race to be exclusive to himself and his friends, as a way to race thier three-year-old fillies over a one and a half mile course. First named Oaks, after his estate at Derby, these races became so successful that in the year after a new race was added to include colts and filies. This new race needed a name, and was not referred to ask Oaks like the previous race with fillies - and this new title was decided by unconventional means; a flip of the coin by the Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury, who was a leading racing figure of the day. Derby won, and named the race "the Derby". The first Epsom Derby was won by Sir Charles Bunbury's horse, named Diomed, which probably made him glad he didn't use that luck on the flip of the coin for the races name! The Epsom Derby was first held over a mile, with the starting point set in a straight line beyond the current five-furlong marker. Now-famous obstacles such as Tattenham corner were not introduced until the course was extended to its current distance of a mile and a half in 1784. The next Epsom Derby Day will be held in 2009, on Saturday the 6th of June.

Epsom Derby Facts

The Epsom Derby has had it's fair share of drama - the 1913 suffragette, Emily Davidson, burst onto the track and threw herself in front of King George V's horse, Anmer, which brought him down. In the collision, Davidsons skull was fractured and four days later she died of her injuries. Meanwhile, the horse that was first past the post in the Epsom Derby, Craganour, was disqualified, and the 100/1 runner up Aboyeur was awarded the title. Because of the special nature of the Epsom Derby, and its history and glamour, gentlemen are requested to wear a collar, jacket and tie. Many wear hats, although they are not compulsory. In addition to this, jeans, sport shoes are not allowed to be worn in the Queen's Stand.