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Event Information:
The Derby Stakes, known as The
Investec Derby or The Derby and
internationally as the Epsom Derby,
is a Group 1 flat horse race in
Great Britain which is open to
three-year-old Thoroughbred colts
and fillies. It is run at Epsom
Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4
furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres),
and it is scheduled to take place
each year in early June. It is
Britain's richest horse race, and
the most prestigious of the
country's five Classics. It is
sometimes referred to as the Blue
Riband of the turf.
The English Derby is one of the most
prestigious and iconic events of the
sporting and social calendars. The
Ladies day is known for being a
highly fashionable event, where
ladies compete to win the coveted
Style on the Downs competition.
Elaborate headwear and colourful
dresses are the norm. The Derby
originated at a celebration
following the first running of the
Oaks Stakes in 1779. A new race was
planned, and it was decided that it
should be named after either the
host of the party, the 12th Earl of
Derby, or one of his guests, Sir
Charles Bunbury. According to legend
the decision was made by the toss of
a coin, but it is probable that
Bunbury, the Steward of the Jockey
Club, deferred to his host. The
inaugural running of the Derby was
held on 4 May 1780. It was won by
Diomed, a colt owned by Sir Charles
Bunbury, who collected prize money
of £1,065 15s. The first four
runnings were contested over 1 mile,
but this was amended to the current
distance of 1½ miles in 1784. Lord
Derby achieved his first success in
the event in 1787, with a horse
called Sir Peter Teazle.
The starting point of the race was
moved twice during the 19th century.
The first move, suggested by Lord
George Bentinck, was in 1848, and
the second was in 1872. It was
discovered in 1991 that the exact
length of the race was 1 mile, 4
furlongs and 10 yards. The Derby has
inspired many similar events around
the world. National variations
include the Prix du Jockey Club, the
Irish Derby, the Deutsches Derby,
the Derby Italiano and in Australia,
the AJC Australian Derby, Queensland
Derby, South Australian Derby, the
VRC Victoria Derby and WATC Derby.
The New Zealand Derby contested at
Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland is
the richest Derby in the Southern
Hemisphere. Several races in the
United States bear the "Derby" name,
the most famous of which is the
Kentucky Derby.
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