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The Derby

The Derby takes place every year at Epsom Downs Racecourse on the first Saturday in June. It’s one of the most anticipated flat horse races in England, and has a long and colourful history. Learn some of the most fascinating Derby facts below.

 

 

Facts about Past Derby winners and runners

Serpentine ridden by Emmet McNamara won the race and trainer Aidan O'Brien become the most successful Derby-winning trainer of all time.

The Derby 2017 winner was Wings of Eagles ridden by Padraig Beggy, who won with odds of 40/1 - the biggest upset for 43 years.

In 2016 the 237th Derby winner was Harzand, ridden by jockey Pat Smullen with odds of 13/2, on 4th of June 2016.

Whilst the Derby is open to three-year old colts and fillies, today the Derby is rarely contested by fillies. The last filly to run in the Derby was Cape Verdi in 1998.

Six fillies have won the Derby, the most recent being Fifinella in 1916. The other five fillies who have won the Derby are: Eleanor in 1801, Blink Bonny in 1857, Shotover in 1882, Signorinetta in 1908 and Tagalie in 1912.

 

 

Epsom Derby history facts

The 1913 Epsom Derby is also known as the “Suffragette Derby” because suffragette Emily Davison was killed when she ran out in front of King George V’s horse. Davison was a militant suffragette who campaigned for votes for women in the UK. The horse hit Davison as she tried to grab its reins, and she died from her injuries four days later.

 

 

Epsom Derby Racecourse facts

The number of horses racing in the Epsom Derby may vary from year to year, depending on how many qualify and are fit to race, however generally between 12 and 16 horses will compete in the Epsom Derby race, and never more than 20.

The process to enter a horse into the Epsom Derby can take around 18 months and several stages, each with costs associated. Depending on when a horse is entered, it can cost between £7,860 and £85,000 to enter the Epsom Derby. 

 

Yearlings can be entered into future races at a cost £560. In the March of the year the horse reaches three years old, owners must pay a further £1100 to stay in the race. If they were not entered as yearlings, three-year-old horses can enter in April at a cost of £9000. 

 

In mid-May yearling entries then pay a further £3400, while three-year-olds must pay £11250 to stay in. On the Monday of the Derby week a final payment of £2800 is made. There is one final opportunity to enter the race at this point - known as a supplementary entry - at a cost of £85,000.

Horseracing is a key plotline in popular TV series Peaky Blinders, so much so that the Epsom Derby features. The sixth and final episode of season two takes place at the Epsom Derby, set in 1920’s England.

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