The Derby, sometimes known as the Epsom Derby to avoid confusion with similar races in other jurisdictions, has a long, illustrious history dating back to 1780. The most prestigious of the five British Classic races, its roll of honour reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of middle-distance talent down the generations.
The 1970 winner, Nijinsky, for example, remains the last horse to win the Triple Crown or, in other words, the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St. Leger. Trained by the legendary Vincent O’Brien and ridden by the equally legendary Lester Piggott – who remains the most successful jockey in the history of the Derby, with nine winners – Nijinksy was sent off 11/8 favourite at Epsom and justified his market position with plenty in hand.
Like London buses, the 1971 Derby produced another superstar, in the form of Mill Reef, trained by Ian Balding, who was, in fact, eventually rated 3lb higher than Nijinsky, according to Timeform. Beaten three lengths by Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas, Mill Reef went on to excel over middle distances, winning the Derby by two lengths, the Ecplise Stakes at Sandown by four, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot by six and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp by three.
Fast forward a decade and anyone who witnessed Shergar, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by Walter Swinburn, winning the 1981 Derby by a record 10 lengths, eased down, must surely find the moment hard to forget. “You need a telescope to see the rest!” exclaimed commentator Peter Bromley as Shergar galloped away from his toiling rivals in the closing stages.
More recently, Sea The Stars, trained by John Oxx and ridden, throughout his career, by Mick Kinane, won all six starts in his three-year-old campaign in 2009, all at Group 1 level, including the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The son of Cape Cross was actually sent off 11/4 second favourite at Epsom, but soon took command and only had to be pushed out in the closing stages to win by a length-and-a-half. His eventual Timeform rating, 140, was the highest awarded to any Epsom Derby winners since Shergar.