The Derby (Horse Racing)
- Who
- Unknown
- When
- 01 January 0001
The greatest of England's Þve Classics is the Derby Stakes, inaugurated on 4 May 1780, and named after Edward Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby (1752–1834). The distance was increased in 1784 from a mile to 1°miles 2.414km (now ofÞcially described as 1mile 4furlongs 10yd). The race has been run at Epsom Downs, Surrey, except for the two war periods, when it was run at Newmarket, Cambs, and is for three-year-olds only. Since 1884 the weights have been: colts 57.2kg 9st, Þllies 54.9kg 8st 9lb. Geldings were eligible until 1906.
Largest and smallest winning margins Shergar won the Derby by a record 10 lengths in 1981. There have been two dead-heats: in 1828 when Cadland beat The Colonel in the run-off, and in 1884 between St Gatien and Harvester (stakes divided).
Largest prize The richest prize on the British Turf is £611,450 for the Derby won by Oath on 5 Jun 1999.
Longest and shortest odds in the Derby Three winners have been returned at odds of 100–1: Jeddah (1898), Signorinetta (1908) and Aboyeur (1913). The shortest-priced winner was Ladas (1894) at 2–9 and the hottest losing favourite was Surefoot, fourth at 40–95 in 1890.
Largest and smallest winning margins Shergar won the Derby by a record 10 lengths in 1981. There have been two dead-heats: in 1828 when Cadland beat The Colonel in the run-off, and in 1884 between St Gatien and Harvester (stakes divided).
Largest prize The richest prize on the British Turf is £611,450 for the Derby won by Oath on 5 Jun 1999.
Longest and shortest odds in the Derby Three winners have been returned at odds of 100–1: Jeddah (1898), Signorinetta (1908) and Aboyeur (1913). The shortest-priced winner was Ladas (1894) at 2–9 and the hottest losing favourite was Surefoot, fourth at 40–95 in 1890.