History
From History, we know that the 12th Earl of Derby and the perpetual president to the Jockey Club, Sir Charles Bunbury spun a coin to determine what the race should be christened. Derby Stakes won over Bunbury Stakes. The very first Derby Stakes on 4th May 1780 was open to colts aged three years. 9 runners participated in the one mile race, and even though Lord Derby had won the toss of the coin, Sir Charles owned Diomed, the first winner. From 1784, the Derby distance got extended to a mile and a half, and this new distance required horses with the right mental toughness to conquer.
Course
The Epsom Derby takes place on the contours of Epsom Downs, Surrey over 2.4 km in June every year(famously held on the 1st Saturday of said month ). It is a very competitive contest that only allows in thoroughbred colts and fillies at 3 years old.
Past winners
Notable 19th century victors include Voltigeur (1850), Western Australia (1853) and Gladiateur (1856). St Gatien and Harvester had a dead heat in 1884. In 1886, two years after that, the great Ormonde emerged winner. The 1894 renewal was won by Persimmon.
The most notable trainer was Robert Robson who instructed an incredible 7 winners of the race: Waxy in 1793, Tyrant in 1802, Pope in 1809) Whalebone in 1810, Whisker in 1815, Azor in 1817, and Emilius in 1823. In the 19th Century, John Porter excelled by sending out 7 Derby winners: Blue Gown in 1868, Shotover in 1882, St. Blaise in 1883), Ormonde in 1886, Sainfoin 1890, Common in 1891 and Flying Fox in 1899.
In the first half of the 20th Century, Fred Darling the great replicated this feat with Captain Cuttle in 1922, Manna in 1925, Coronach in 1926, Cameronian in 1931, Bois Roussel in 1938, Pont l’Eveque in 1940 and Owen Tudor in 1941
Prize money
The Epsom Derby was valued at £1.625 million in 2017