Epsom Derby
The history of the Derby
In 1779 Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies over one and a half miles. He named it the Oaks after his estate. The race was so successful the following year a new race was added for colts and fillies.
The title of the race was decided after the Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury, a leading racing figure of the day and friend of the Earl’s, flipped a coin. So begun the inaugural running of the ‘Derby’ won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s horse Diomed.
The contest was held over a mile with the starting point in a straight line beyond the current five-furlong marker. Tattenham Corner was not introduced until 1784 when the course was extended to its current distance of a mile- and-a-half.
There are countless Derbys around the world but the Vodafone Epsom Derby offers the unique challenge that pits the best horses of the Classic generation, ridden by the best jockeys around a course unlike any other anywhere in the world, and that consequently creates champions. That’s why The Vodafone Derby is known as The Blue Riband of the Turf. That’s why The Derby is the spiritual heart of flat racing.
Dress code at Epsom Downs racecourse
If you are thinking of going to the Derby please be aware of the applicable
dress codes.
Queen's stand
Either black or grey Morning Dress with a top hat, or service dress
is traditional and obligatory for gentlemen on Derby Day. Ladies are
asked to wear formal day dress, or a trouser suit, with a hat.
Oaks Day remains a very special day in the racing calendar and, whilst Morning Dress is not required, gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket, collar and tie. Ladies do not have to wear hat but the majority do. Jeans, sports shorts, denim or trainers are not acceptable in the Queen's Stand.
Grandstand Boxholders
Dress code same as for Queen's Stand Oaks day dress code.
Grandstand (All Days)
Smart shorts and jeans are accepted in the Grandstand on every raceday,
but no bare tops or singlets. Many people in the Grandstand like to
dress up for the Vodafone Derby Meeting but it is not a requirement
for the enclosure.
Although everyone is welcome at Epsom Downs Racecourse, they do reserve
the right in extreme circumstances to either refuse admission to or
eject from any enclosure or the Racecourse, any racegoer who, in the
reasonable opinion of the Racecourse, behaves or is likely to behave
in an unruly manner or in a manner likely to give offence to other racegoers.
Previous Derby Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | SP |
| 2005 | Motivator | J Murtagh | M Bell | 3/1 |
| 2004 | North Light | K Fallon | M Stoute | 7/2 |
| 2003 | Kris Kin | K Fallon | M Stoute | 6/1 |
| 2002 | High Chaparral | J Murtagh | A O'Brien | 7/2 |
| 2001 | Galileo | M Kinane | A O'Brien | 11/4 |
| 2000 | Sinndar | J Murtagh | J Oxx | 7/1 |
| 1999 | Oath | K Fallon | H Cecil | 13/2 |
| 1998 | High Rise | O Peslier | L Cumani | 20/1 |
| 1997 | Benny the Dip | W Ryan | J Gosden | 11/1 |
| 1996 | Shaamit | M Hills | W Haggas | 12/1 |
| 1995 | Lammtarra | W Swinburn | S bin Suroor | 14/1 |
| 1994 | Erhaab | W Carson | J Dunlop | 7/2 |
| 1993 | Commander in Chief | M Kinane | H Cecil | 15/2 |
| 1992 | Dr Devious | J Reid | P Chapple-Hyam | 8/1 |
| 1991 | Generous | A Munro | P Cole | 9/1 |
| 1990 | Quest for Fame | P Eddery | R Charlton | 7/1 |
| 1989 | Nashwan | W Carson | D Hern | 5/4 |
| 1988 | Kahyasi | R Cochrane | L Cumani | 11/1 |
| 1987 | Reference Point | S Cauthen | H Cecil | 6/4 |
| 1986 | Shahrastani | W Swinburn | M Stoute | 11/2 |
| 1985 | Slip Anchor | S Cauthen | H Cecil | 9/4 |
| 1984 | Secreto | C Roche | D O'Brien | 14/1 |
| 1983 | Teenoso | L Piggott | G Wragg | 9-2 |
| 1982 | Golden Fleece | P Eddery | V O'Brien | 3/1 |
| 1981 | Shergar | W Swinburn | M Stoute | 10/11 |
For more information visit: http://www.epsomderby.co.uk