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10 unusual facts about Epsom Derby


Bernard Dillon

Victory on Lemberg in the 1910 Epsom Derby was his most famous achievement although he also rode winners in the 1,000 Guineas (Flair, 1906 and Electra, 1909), Lincoln (Uninsured, 1904), Cambridgeshire (Hacklers Pride, 1905), Eclipse Stakes (Lally, 1907 and dead heated on Lemberg in 1910), Coronation Cup (Pretty Polly, 1906) and the Grand Prix de Paris (Spearmint, 1906).

Coronach, Saskatchewan

It was founded in 1926 by the Canadian Pacific Railway and named after Coronach, the horse who had just won the Epsom Derby in England that year.

First Aid for Dora

Later, having won some money on the Derby, Corcoran promises his friends a night out, but returning home to dress, he finds Bowles has let Ukridge borrow his evening suit.

John Sturgess

He was known for being an accomplished illustrator of books and magazines, but is probably best remembered for his portrait of "Blair Athol", the winner of the Derby in 1864.

Kisbér

Foaled in 1873, Kisber raced in England where in 1876 he won that country's most prestigious race, the Epsom Derby.

Tattenham Corner Line

The line is primarily a commuter route, but the station at Tattenham Corner was built to serve the Epsom Downs Racecourse, with large numbers of extra trains on Derby day.

The 1821 Derby at Epsom

The 1821 Derby at Epsom, or Horse race ("Course de chevaux, dit traditionnellement Le derby de 1821 à Epsom per the Louvre"), is an 1821 painting by Théodore Géricault in the Louvre Museum, showing the Epsom Derby of that year.

The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place

The stable has a horse, Shoscombe Prince, who Sir Robert hopes will win the Derby.

The Rocking-Horse Winner

As the Derby approaches, Paul is determined to learn the winner.

Thomas Kennedy Laidlaw

He bred Aboyeur, winner of the 1913 Derby, and Gregalach and Grakle, winners of the Grand National in 1929 and 1931 respectively, although he did not own any of them at the time of their wins.


Aymond

Bred by Whitby, Ontario's James Heffering, he was out of the mare, Ablaze, and sired by Roselyon, a son of the 1911 Epsom Derby winner and British Horseracing Hall of Fame inductee, Sunstar.

Belle Mahone

Bred and raced by Canada's preeminent owner/breeder, distilling magnate Joseph E. Seagram, Belle Mahone was sired by Ypsilanti, an American grandson of the British runner Galopin, winner of the 1875 Epsom Derby and a three-time Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland.

Blenheim High School

The school has four houses named, as the school is, after racehorses that have won the Epsom Derby.

Blue Gown

In a supposedly private trial race at Kingsclere (which soon became common knowledge), Blue Gown was beaten a neck by Rosicrucian as part of his preparation for the Epsom Derby.

Charles Semblat

At Epsom in June he won both the Epsom Derby with Galcador and the Oaks with the filly Asmena (a sister of Marsyas, Caracalla and Arbar).

Harry Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery

Rosebery was notable in horseracing circles for winning the Epsom Derby with Blue Peter and Ocean Swell, and winning most other classic British flat races, with horses bred at his Mentmore and Crafton Studs.

John Oxx

Oxx came to wider public attention when guiding Sea The Stars through a famous 2009 season in which he won Group One races in England, Ireland and France, his six consecutive triumphs including the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Nick Luck

He has hosted all major events for the channel including the Derby, Grand National and Cheltenham Festival.

Raleigh Gilbert

Although he never covered the Epsom Derby or Oaks for ITV (these were always the province of Penney), he commentated on many other major races, including the 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, St. Leger, Irish Derby, Irish Oaks and Eclipse Stakes.

Sir Humphrey de Trafford, 4th Baronet

In 1926, he purchased the Newsells Park Estate, Barkway near Royston, Hertfordshire as a home for his family and established a stud farm there, from which he bred most of his famous racehorses including Alcide who won the 1958 St. Leger Stakes and the 1959 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Parthia, who won the 1959 Epsom Derby.

Victor Sassoon

Among his stables' significant performances were wins in the Epsom Derby (Pinza, Crepello, Hard Ridden, St. Paddy) Epsom Oaks, 1,000 Guineas, 2,000 Guineas, St. Leger Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.