2005 Epsom Derby
Encyclopedia
The 2005 Epsom Derby was a horse race
which took place at Epsom Downs
on Saturday June 4, 2005. It was the 226th running of the Derby
, and it was won by the pre-race favourite Motivator
. The winner was ridden by Johnny Murtagh
and trained by Michael Bell.
* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths
or shorter. hd = head.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
:
prior to running in the Derby.
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
which took place at Epsom Downs
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half...
on Saturday June 4, 2005. It was the 226th running of the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, and it was won by the pre-race favourite Motivator
Motivator (horse)
Motivator is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby.-Background:Motivator is a bay horse with a white star bred by Salah M...
. The winner was ridden by Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh
Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world...
and trained by Michael Bell.
Race details
- Sponsor: VodafoneVodafoneVodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
- Winner's prize money: £725,000
- Going: Good
- Number of runners: 13
- Winner's time: 2m 35.69s
Full result
* | Horse | Jockey | Trainer † | SP Starting Prices In horse racing, the starting price is the odds prevailing in the on-course fixed-odds betting market at the time a race begins. The method by which SPs are set for each runner varies in different countries but is generally by consensus of an appointed panel on the basis of their observations of... |
|
1 | Motivator Motivator (horse) Motivator is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby.-Background:Motivator is a bay horse with a white star bred by Salah M... |
Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh Johnny Murtagh is a Irish flat racing jockey from Bohermeen, Navan, County Meath.He excels on the big stage, having won many Group 1 races around the world... |
Michael Bell | 3/1 fav | |
2 | 5 | Walk in the Park | Alan Munro Alan Munro (jockey) Alan Munro is a top English flat racing jockey and considered one of the most successful English jockeys in the history of the sport.He has won many major races including the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby in 1991... |
John Hammond John E. Hammond John E. Hammond is a Thoroughbred horse trainer in France.Based in Chantilly, Oise, Hammond has trained numerous Group One winners including Montjeu and Suave Dancer both of whom won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, France's most prestigious horse race... (FR) |
11/1 |
3 | 3 | Dubawi Dubawi Dubawi is a thoroughbred racehorse sired by Dubai Millennium. He won five races in his race career.... |
Frankie Dettori Frankie Dettori Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing... |
Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor Saeed bin Suroor , is a horse racing trainer. Formerly a policeman, he took out his training license in 1994 and the following year was appointed as the trainer for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation.... |
5/1 |
4 | 1 | Fracas | Jamie Spencer Jamie Spencer Jamie Spencer is an Irish flat racing jockey currently riding in the UK. He has been champion jockey in both Ireland and Britain and has won four classics, two in each country. Spencer is widely regarded as one of the best, and most naturally talented, UK-based jockeys - despite not having a... |
David Wachman (IRE) | 8/1 |
5 | 1½ | Gypsy King | Kieren Fallon Kieren Fallon Kieren Francis Fallon is a professional flat racing jockey and has been British Champion Jockey six times.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... (IRE) |
7/2 |
6 | 3 | Hattan | Seb Sanders Seb Sanders Seb Sanders is a flat race jockey.He came into racing by getting a job with trainer Bryan McMahon, and it was for McMahon that Sanders rode his first winner on 12 June 1990 on Band On The Run.... |
Clive Brittain Clive Brittain Clive Brittain is a British race-horse trainer. He began training as an apprentice in 1949, and on his own as a licensed trainer in the early 1970s. He currently trains at Carlburg Stables in Newmarket, Suffolk... |
25/1 |
7 | hd | Unfurled | Ryan Moore | John Dunlop John L. Dunlop John L. Dunlop is a successful race horse trainer based in Arundel, Sussex, with over 3000 winners between 1966 and 2002.He was the British flat racing Champion Trainer in 1995.... |
40/1 |
8 | 1¾ | The Geezer | Richard Quinn | David Elsworth David Elsworth David Elsworth is a horse trainer living in the United Kingdom. He is perhaps best known for being the trainer of Desert Orchid, 1988 Grand National winner Rhyme 'n' Reason and 1990 Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Barnbrook Again - just three horses amongst a host of top-class performers over... |
10/1 |
9 | 2 | Grand Central | Jimmy Fortune Jimmy Fortune (jockey) Jimmy Fortune is an Irish thoroughbred jockey who, through 2008, has 76 wins from 528 rides. He apprenticed with Jim Bolger in Ireland. He was first licensed in 1987 and his first win came in 1988 at Thirsk riding Hitchinstown... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... (IRE) |
25/1 |
10 | 8 | Oratorio | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... (IRE) |
8/1 |
11 | 2 | Kings Quay | Dane O'Neill | Richard Hannon Richard Hannon Richard Hannon is a British horse trainer based in East Everleigh Stables, Marlborough, Wiltshire.Hannon's family has a tradition of horse training—his father was also a horse trainer, his son Richard is currently the assistant trainer, and his son-in-law Richard Hughes is the stable jockey. ... |
150/1 |
12 | ¾ | Almighty | Pat Smullen Pat Smullen Patrick J. Smullen is a jockey and considered one of the top riders in Ireland. He has had many successes through his position as stable jockey to Dermot Weld.-Major wins: Ireland... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... (IRE) |
66/1 |
13 | 14 | Kong | Richard Hughes Richard Hughes (jockey) Richard Hughes is an Irish flat jockey who most commonly rides in Great Britain. Born in Dublin, he is the son of successful National Hunt trainer, Dessie Hughes. His main provider of rides has been trainer Richard Hannon who is also his father in law andfrom 2001 to 2007 he was also retained by... |
John Dunlop John L. Dunlop John L. Dunlop is a successful race horse trainer based in Arundel, Sussex, with over 3000 winners between 1966 and 2002.He was the British flat racing Champion Trainer in 1995.... |
20/1 |
* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths
Length (horse racing)
A horse length, or simply length, is a unit of measurement that refers to the length of a horse from nose to tail, approximately 8 feet, It is commonly used in Thoroughbred horse racing, where it describes the distance between horses in a race...
or shorter. hd = head.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Winner's details
Further details of the winner, MotivatorMotivator (horse)
Motivator is a retired British Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known as the winner of the 2005 Epsom Derby.-Background:Motivator is a bay horse with a white star bred by Salah M...
:
- Foaled: February 22, 2002 in Great BritainGreat BritainGreat Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
- Sire: MontjeuMontjeuMontjeu , is a thoroughbred horse racing World Champion colt and sire of champions. Sired by Sadler's Wells from the dam Floripedes, Montjeu is a grandson of Northern Dancer....
; Dam: Out West (Gone WestGone West (horse)Gone West is an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Dr. William O. Reed, Gone West was a son of the very influential sire, Mr. Prospector, his dam, Secrettame, was a daughter of the legendary 1973 U.S...
) - Owner: The Royal Ascot Racing Club
- Breeder: Deerfield Farm
- Rating in 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse RankingsThe 2005 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings is the 2005 edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities in January 2006...
: 125
Two-year-old races
Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 2004.- Motivator – 1st Racing Post TrophyRacing Post TrophyThe Racing Post Trophy is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October....
- Walk in the Park – 3rd Critérium InternationalCritérium International (horse race)The Critérium International is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late October or early November.-History:The event was introduced...
- Dubawi – 1st Superlative StakesSuperlative StakesThe Superlative Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the July Course at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
, 1st National Stakes - Oratorio – 7th Coventry StakesCoventry StakesThe Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, 1st Anglesey StakesAnglesey StakesThe Anglesey Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs and 63 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July....
, 2nd Phoenix StakesPhoenix StakesThe Phoenix Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July or August.-History:...
, 1st Futurity StakesFuturity Stakes (Ireland)The Futurity Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
, 1st Prix Jean-Luc LagardèrePrix Jean-Luc LagardèreThe Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 1,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early October.It is the oldest and most prestigious race in France...
, 2nd Dewhurst StakesDewhurst StakesThe Dewhurst Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.The event was established in 1875, and it... - Kings Quay – 12th Coventry StakesCoventry StakesThe Coventry Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
, 1st Washington Singer StakesWashington Singer StakesThe Washington Singer Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August.-History:...
, 6th Somerville Tattersall StakesSomerville Tattersall StakesThe Somerville Tattersall Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.The...
The road to Epsom
Early-season appearances in 2005 and trial racesTrial races for the Epsom Derby
Trial races for the Epsom Derby are horse races during April and May which are contested by three-year-olds likely to run in the Epsom Derby in early June....
prior to running in the Derby.
- Motivator – 1st Dante StakesDante StakesThe Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
- Walk in the Park – 2nd Lingfield Derby TrialLingfield Derby TrialThe Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and...
- Dubawi – 5th 2,000 Guineas, 1st Irish 2,000 Guineas
- Fracas – 1st Sandown Classic TrialSandown Classic TrialThe Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April.The event was established in 1953, and it...
, 1st Derrinstown Stud Derby TrialDerrinstown Stud Derby TrialThe Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:... - Gypsy King – 1st Dee StakesDee StakesThe Dee Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 75 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
- Hattan – 3rd Sandown Classic TrialSandown Classic TrialThe Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April.The event was established in 1953, and it...
, 1st Chester VaseChester VaseThe Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.... - Unfurled – 1st Predominate StakesCocked Hat StakesThe Cocked Hat Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile and 3 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
- The Geezer – 2nd Dante StakesDante StakesThe Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
- Grand Central – 2nd Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, 3rd Derrinstown Stud Derby TrialDerrinstown Stud Derby TrialThe Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
- Oratorio – 4th 2,000 Guineas, 2nd Irish 2,000 Guineas
- Kings Quay – 5th Easter StakesEaster StakesThe Easter Stakes was a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain which was open to three-year-old Thoroughbred colts and geldings. It was run at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile , and it was scheduled to take place each year, usually on the Saturday of Easter weekend in March or April.The...
, 2nd Feilden StakesFeilden StakesThe Feilden Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 1 furlong , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April....
, 6th Sandown Classic TrialSandown Classic TrialThe Sandown Classic Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April.The event was established in 1953, and it...
, 6th Lingfield Derby TrialLingfield Derby TrialThe Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and... - Almighty – 4th Ballysax StakesBallysax StakesThe Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April....
, 2nd Chester VaseChester VaseThe Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.... - Kong – 1st Lingfield Derby TrialLingfield Derby TrialThe Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and...
Subsequent Group 1 wins
Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.- Dubawi – Prix Jacques Le MaroisPrix Jacques le MaroisThe Prix Jacques Le Marois is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to thoroughbred colts and fillies aged three years or older. It is run at Deauville over a distance of 1,600 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
(2005) - Oratorio – Eclipse StakesEclipse StakesThe Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
(2005), Irish Champion StakesIrish Champion StakesThe Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
(2005)