Horse Racing

Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby is the penultimate race of the English Classic Races series; preceded by the 1,000 Guineas Stakes, the 2,000 Guineas Stakes and the Epsom Oaks, it is followed by the final race of the series, the St. Leger Stakes. It is also the second race of the English Triple Crown series, which is made up of the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes.

As the Epsom Oaks, the Epsom Derby is held at Epsom Downs Racecourse, which has hosted the race since 1780, one year after the Epsom Oaks were inaugurated. In fact, the Epsom Derby started as a celebratory race in honour of the Epsom Oaks - and is incidentally named after the 12th Earl of Derby, who founded the Oaks the previous year. The race was originally contested over a distance of one mile, but it was extended in 1784 to the current distance of 1 ½ miles. Open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies, the Epsom Derby (or simply the Derby as it is known amongst the locals) is run annually in early June. It is the most valuable race of the English racing season, with a purse of an incredible £1,250,000 - making it also one of the most fierce competitions to be seen on the track.

The Epsom Derby is so popular, it has spawned copy-cat races around the world. The world-famous Kentucky Derby is an off-shoot of the British Classic event, the Prix Du Jockey Club held in France, the German Deutsches Derby, the Derby Italiano and the Australian Derby - all these race meetings evolved from the original English event.

Recent Winners of the Epsom Derby: