Epsom Derby
Flat horse race in Britain / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Derby Stakes, also known as the Epsom Derby or the Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey on the first Saturday of June each year, over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards (2,423 metres), or about 1½ miles.[1] It was first run in 1780.
| Group 1 race | |
| |
| Location | Epsom Downs Epsom, Surrey, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1780 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Sponsor | Betfred |
| Website | Epsom Derby |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1m 4f 10y (2,423m), or about 1½ miles |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds excluding geldings |
| Weight | 9 st 0 lb Allowances 3 lb for fillies |
| Purse | £1,604,000 (2022) 1st: £909,628 |
It is Britain's richest flat horse race, and the most prestigious of the five Classics. It is sometimes referred to as the "Blue Riband" of the turf. The race serves as the middle leg of the historically significant Triple Crown of British horse racing, preceded by the 2000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger, although the feat of winning all three is rarely attempted in the modern era due to changing priorities in racing and breeding, and the demands it places on horses.
The name "Derby" (deriving from the sponsorship of the Earl of Derby) has been borrowed many times, notably by the Kentucky Derby in the United States. The name "Epsom Derby" is often used in the United States, in order to differentiate The Derby from races such as the Kentucky Derby or Florida Derby.[2] The Derby run at Epsom is usually referred to as "the Derby" in Great Britain. It is one of Britain's great national sporting events[3] and has a large worldwide TV audience.[4]