Big Race History: The Derby

Events / Malcolm Pannett / 04 June 2009 / Leave a Comment

On the 100th anniversary of the last Royal-winner, King Edward VII's Minoru, Malcolm Pannett looks back at the history of the premier Classic

The Derby Stakes held at Epsom is the blue ribband of the turf. Run over a switchback mile-and-a-half, incorporating Tattenham Corner, the race is the middle leg of the Triple Crown and was once the most famous race in the world.

Legend has it that the 12th Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury tossed a coin to see whose name would be used for the race title. Unlike many legends this is at least partially true.

The Oaks, named after the Epsom house that General John Burgoyne had leased to his relative the Earl, was founded in 1779 in a bid to emulate the St Leger which had been inaugurated in 1776 by Burgoyne's brother-in-arms Anthony St Leger. The first Oaks was a success and at the dinner party that followed Burgoyne came up with the idea for a similar race for colts and fillies.

The illustrious company, which included the playwright Sheridan, all enthused and once it came down to whose name the race should bear the choice fell between Bunbury, the sole Jockey Club Steward, and the Earl. However it is likely that Bunbury, a great racing innovator, allowed his host the privilege rather than resorting to a coin toss.

Bunbury, who now has a race named after him at Newmarket's July Meeting, won the first running in 1780 with Diomed, who in turn has a race named after him at the Derby Meeting. The Earl won his own race in 1787 with Sir Peter Teazle.

Confined to three-year-old colts and fillies, but not geldings, the race was set up as part of the quest to find the best horse of the generation and in so doing strengthen and improve the breed. Originally run over a mile the distance was increased to a mile and a half in 1784.

The race soon became established as the best race in the world with a roll-call incorporating many of the legends of the turf. Some of the great winners during the last 50 years include Sea-Bird (1965), Nijinsky (1970), Mill Reef (1971), Grundy (1975), Slip Anchor (1985), Reference Point (1987), Nashwan (1989) pictured above, Generous (1991), Lammtarra (1995), Sinndar (2000), High Chaparral (2002) and New Approach (2008).

There was scandal in 1844 as the first past the post, Running Rein, was revealed to be the four-year-old Maccabeus and the race was awarded to Orlando. While the 1913 renewal was arguably the most sensational with suffragette Emily Davison dying after bringing down the King's horse Anmer at Tattenham Corner - there are many theories as to what her actual intentions were - and then favourite Craganour being disqualified with Aboyeur at 100-1 being awarded the race.

In 1953 the 26-time champion jockey Gordon Richards finally won on Pinza at what was his 28th attempt. In the same week he was knighted, the Queen was crowned and Hillary conquered Everest.

At the other end of the scale Lester Piggott dominated the race during his career recording a record nine victories aboard Never Say Die (1954), Crepello (1957), St Paddy (1960), Sir Ivor (1968), Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972), Empery (1976), The Minstrel (1977) and Teenoso (1983).

There have been two dead-heats, in 1884 Harvester and St Gatien couldn't be separated however in 1828 Cadland beat The Colonel in a full-distance run-off, which was customary at the time.

The longest winning distance is 10 lengths when the subsequently-kidnapped Shergar beat Glint Of Gold in 1981; a horse with no name won in 1797, a commonplace practice at the time, the record simply reads 'a colt by Fidget'; and Alex Greaves became the first woman to ride in the race when she partnered Portuguese Lil in 1996.

During the First World War (1915 to 1918) the race was run at Newmarket as the New Derby Stakes. The Derby returned to Newmarket during WWII (1940 to 1945) with the last running there being won by Dante after whom York's leading Derby trial is named.

Once upon a time there was only one Derby now there is a proliferation of mainly sub-standard imitators so much so that it is now de riguer to refer to the 'Epsom Derby'. The days when Parliament stopped so Members could attend the traditional Wednesday running have long gone. Nowadays the race is run on Saturday and can suffer from clashes with other events. It may have lost a little lustre but the Derby remains one of the great sporting occasions.

Horses who won the Derby in addition to the 2000 Guineas, as well as Triple Crown winners, are covered in the essay on the 2000 Guineas by the same author.

25 years ago - A sensation as 2000 Guineas-winner El Gran Senor, who appeared to be cruising with Pat Eddery sitting motionless, found nothing off the bridle. At Newmarket Vincent O'Brien's charge had produced an electrifying turn of speed but at Epsom he appeared to run out off petrol and the spoils went to Secreto, in the colours of Luigi Miglietti, who got up close home to win by a short head under Christy Roche. El Gran Senor went on to beat Rainbow Quest in the Irish version which was one of several races Secreto was withdrawn from before being retired without racing again.

10 years ago - Dubai Millenium, who had won the Predominate Stakes, was sent off the favourite. But the subsequent Dubai World Cup-winner played up in the preliminaries and didn't appear to stay trailing in ninth. This left Dee Stakes-winner Oath, ridden by Kieren Fallon, to do battle with Daliapour. The former collared the latter at the furlong pole and the green and white stripes of The Thoroughbred Corporation went on to prevail by a length and three quarters. Both disappointed in the King George and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes but whereas Oath was not seen on a raceourse again Daliapour went on to win the Coronation Cup and Hong Kong Vase the next year.

Five years ago - Fallon again this time on North Light. The Dante-winner confirmed his superiority over Rule Of Law at Epsom after pushing on in the straight past pace-setter Meath. Sir Michael Stoute's son of Danehill held all comers at bay by a length-and-a-half with Let The Lion Roar and Percussionist third and fourth just heads behind runner-up Rule Of Law. This was a third Derby success for Fallon after Oath (1999) and Kris Kin the previous year. North Light never won again finishing second in the Irish Derby behind Grey Swallow, just out of the placings in ther Arc and finally being beaten at odds-on in the following season's Brigadier Gerard Stakes by New Morning when hanging fire for much of the home run before rapidly gaining ground too late.

Last year - An extraordinary affair as dual-Guineas runner-up New Approach was an unexpected accepter at the five-day stage. Jim Bolger's charge then held up the proceedings by being ponied to the start before overcoming trouble in running to record an emphatic victory. After pulling hard at the rear of the field in the early stages, the son of Galilieo then threaded his way through his rivals to lead just before the furlong marker. Despite drifting in the closing stages Princess Haya's chestnut won nicely by half-a-length from Tartan Bearer with a further four-and-a-half back to Casual Conquest. New Approach finished the season by taking the Champion Stakes having already won the Irish version.