Trial races for the Epsom Derby
Encyclopedia
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.
Most Derby runners appear in at least one race in the weeks before the event, although some, such as the winners Lammtarra
and Shaamit
, may arrive at Epsom
with no previous run as a three-year-old.
The leading trial of recent years has been the Dante Stakes
, which has been contested by six subsequent winners of the Derby in the last twenty years. The following table shows any race classed at Listed
level or above which served as a trial for a Derby winner during the period 1992 to 2011.
.
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...
during April and May which are contested by three-year-olds likely to run in the Epsom 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...
in early June.
Most Derby runners appear in at least one race in the weeks before the event, although some, such as the winners Lammtarra
Lammtarra
Lammtarra was an undefeated Thoroughbred racehorse who won three Group One races in 1995 and was voted the Cartier Three-Year-Old European Champion Colt...
and Shaamit
Shaamit
Shaamit was an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1996.Shaamit was foaled on 11 February 1993 and was sired by Mtoto, winner of the Eclipse Stakes in 1987 and 1988 and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1988...
, may arrive at Epsom
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...
with no previous run as a three-year-old.
The leading trial of recent years has been the Dante Stakes
Dante Stakes
The 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....
, which has been contested by six subsequent winners of the Derby in the last twenty years. The following table shows any race classed at Listed
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
level or above which served as a trial for a Derby winner during the period 1992 to 2011.
| Race | Derby winners from race 1992–2011 (won unless stated) |
| Prix La Force Prix La Force The Prix La Force is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.-History:... |
Pour Moi Pour Moi Pour Moi is an Irish-bred and French-trained thoroughbred racehorse, most noted for winning the 2011 Epsom Derby.Trained by André Fabre, Pour Moi came into Derby consideration after a last-to-first win in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. He was made second-favourite for the 4 June 2011 Derby... (3rd) |
| Feilden Stakes Feilden Stakes The 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.... |
Erhaab Erhaab Erhaab is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1994... (2nd) |
| Craven Stakes Craven Stakes The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first... |
Dr Devious Dr Devious Dr Devious is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1992.-Background:Bred by Lyonstown Stud, Dr Devious was sired by Ahonoora and out of the mare Rose of Jericho, a daughter of two-time Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alleged... (2nd) |
| Ballysax Stakes Ballysax Stakes The 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.... |
Sinndar Sinndar Sinndar, is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is notable for his unique achievement in winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year.-Background:... (2nd), Galileo Galileo (horse) Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light... , High Chaparral High Chaparral High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003 .-2001: Two-year-old season:... |
| Sandown Classic Trial Sandown Classic Trial The 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... |
Benny the Dip Benny the Dip Benny the Dip was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1997 by a short head from the future St Leger winner Silver Patriarch.... (2nd) |
| 2,000 Guineas | Sir Percy Sir Percy Sir Percy is a race horse foaled on January 27, 2003, winner of the 2006 Epsom Derby.-Breeding and pedigree:Sir Percy was bred by Harry Ormesher at the Old Suffolk Stud in Hundon, Suffolk. His sire Mark of Esteem won the 1996 2,000 Guineas, his dam Percy's Lass won the Group 3 September Stakes in... (2nd), New Approach New Approach New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.... (2nd), Sea the Stars Sea the Stars Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred colt racehorse. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan - the... |
| Kentucky Derby Kentucky Derby The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry... |
Dr Devious Dr Devious Dr Devious is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1992.-Background:Bred by Lyonstown Stud, Dr Devious was sired by Ahonoora and out of the mare Rose of Jericho, a daughter of two-time Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alleged... (7th) |
| Dee Stakes Dee Stakes The 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.... |
Oath Oath (horse) Oath is a retired Thoroughbred race horse, bred in Ireland and trained in the United Kingdom, best known for winning the 1999 Epsom Derby. He was injured in his next race and never ran again. He is currently an active sire in India.... , Kris Kin Kris Kin Kris Kin is a retired Thoroughbred race horse, and active sire. He was bred in the United States but was trained in England during his racing career. In a career that lasted just over a year, from October 2002 to October 2003, he ran seven times and won three races, most notably the Epsom Derby in... |
| Lingfield Derby Trial Lingfield Derby Trial The 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... |
High-Rise High-Rise (horse) High-Rise is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in Ireland, but trained in the United Kingdom, Dubai and the United States. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1998... |
| Prix Greffulhe Prix Greffulhe The Prix Greffulhe is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:... |
Pour Moi Pour Moi Pour Moi is an Irish-bred and French-trained thoroughbred racehorse, most noted for winning the 2011 Epsom Derby.Trained by André Fabre, Pour Moi came into Derby consideration after a last-to-first win in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. He was made second-favourite for the 4 June 2011 Derby... |
| Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial The 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:... |
Sinndar Sinndar Sinndar, is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is notable for his unique achievement in winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year.-Background:... , Galileo Galileo (horse) Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light... , High Chaparral High Chaparral High Chaparral is a racehorse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 2002, and the winner of the Breeders' Cup Turf in 2002 and 2003 .-2001: Two-year-old season:... |
| Dante Stakes Dante Stakes The 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.... |
Erhaab Erhaab Erhaab is a retired Thoroughbred race horse and active sire, bred in the United States but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 1994... , Benny the Dip Benny the Dip Benny the Dip was an American-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1997 by a short head from the future St Leger winner Silver Patriarch.... , North Light North Light North Light is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse, and active sire, bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom. He is best known as the winner of the Epsom Derby in 2004. He currently stands at the Adena Springs Stud in Aurora, Ontario, Canada.-Background:North Light was bred in Ireland by... , 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... , Authorized Authorized (horse) Authorized is an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the 2007 Epsom Derby.-Background:... , Workforce Workforce (horse) Workforce is a 2007-born thoroughbred racehorse that won the 2010 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, ridden by Ryan Moore. The bay colt is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah.-Pedigree:... (2nd) |
| Glasgow Stakes Glasgow Stakes The Glasgow Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Hamilton Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 16 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.... |
Commander in Chief Commander in Chief (horse) Commander in Chief was a British thoroughbred racehorse, foaled in 1990 by Dancing Brave out of Slightly Dangerous. His damsire was the 1972 Epsom Derby winner Roberto, and his grandsire was Lyphard, a son of Northern Dancer.... |
| Irish 2,000 Guineas | New Approach New Approach New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.... (2nd) |
| Unraced as 3-y-o | Lammtarra Lammtarra Lammtarra was an undefeated Thoroughbred racehorse who won three Group One races in 1995 and was voted the Cartier Three-Year-Old European Champion Colt... , Shaamit Shaamit Shaamit was an Irish-bred and British-trained Thoroughbred race horse, winner of the Epsom Derby in 1996.Shaamit was foaled on 11 February 1993 and was sired by Mtoto, winner of the Eclipse Stakes in 1987 and 1988 and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 1988... |
2011 Derby contenders
Notable early-season appearances by horses which ran in the 2011 Epsom Derby2011 Epsom Derby
The 2011 Epsom Derby was the 232nd running of the Derby horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on 4 June 2011.The race was won by second-favourite Pour Moi, by a short distance of a head. He was the first Derby winner to have been trained in France since Empery in 1976.The winning horse was...
.
- Carlton House: 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....
- Castlemorris King
- Marhaba Malyoon: 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...
- Masked Marvel: 5th 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 Cocked Hat 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.... - Memphis Tennessee: 2nd 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:...
- Native Khan: 1st Craven StakesCraven StakesThe Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
, 3rd 2,000 Guineas Stakes - Ocean War: 1st Newmarket StakesNewmarket StakesThe Newmarket Stakes is a Listed flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.At present, the event...
- Pisco Sour: 3rd 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....
- Pour Moi (winner): 3rd Prix La ForcePrix La ForceThe Prix La Force is a Group 3 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.-History:...
, 1st Prix GreffulhePrix GreffulheThe Prix Greffulhe is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:... - Recital: 3rd 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....
, 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:... - Seville: 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....
- Treasure Beach: 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....
- Vadamar: 1st Prix François Mathet, 3rd Prix GreffulhePrix GreffulheThe Prix Greffulhe is a Group 2 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Saint-Cloud over a distance of 2,000 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...