Michael Church Racing Books

‘I bought at auction a hoof of Galopin – it caused consternation in the family’

Three years ago to mark 300 years of champion sires in Britain and Ireland, Michael Church, the racing author and historian,  published a signed and illustrated limited edition lineage chart, showing the male descent of the 125 champion sires to the founding fathers.

Racing Post caught up with their former employee – he was hired as the newspaper’s accountant when launched in 1986 – for a quickfire Q&A.

Above an extract from Michael Church’s lineage chart, showing the 300 years of Champion Sires 1722-2021

The Founding Fathers of all Thoroughbreds racing today.

           A brief guide

(set to view on Mobiles)

 DARLEY ARABIAN. b.c. 1700.

Champion Sire 1722.  15 hands, bought by Thomas Darley, a Merchant Agent in Aleppo, Syria. Stood near York.

Sire of Flying Childers b,c 1714, the first truly great racehorse, and his older brother Bartlet’s Childers b.c. 1716, ex Betty Leeds and both Champion Sires.

BYERLEY TURK  br.c 1684.

Thought to be an Arabian taken from the Turkish Army at Buda in 1687.

Ridden by Captain Robert Byerley  in the Battle of the Boyne 1690 and later stood near York 1697. His most notable offspring was Jigg  (-. c. c 1701) ex daughter of Spanker, the sire of Partner (ch. 1718), won 4 races and four-times Champion Sire between 1737-1743).

ALCOCK ARABIAN  gr.c. 1704.

Champion Sire 1728.

Purchased in 1722 by the 2^nd Duke of Ancaster.

Except for a tiny minority every grey thoroughbred we see today inherits their greyness, generation by generation from the Alcock Arabian.

His most notable offspring was Crab gr.c. 1722, Champion Sire in 1748, 1749, 1750.

GODOLPHIN ARABIAN  b.c. 1724.  Champion Sire 1738, 1745 and 1747.

Foaled in Yemen. 14.3 hands. One of four horses presented to the King of France by the Bey of Tunis.

Fifty years from his death in 1753, every one of the first 76 British Classic winners had at least one strain of him in their pedigree.

Godolphin Arabian (b.c. 1724)

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s TV interviews go to the foot of About Michael

HIGHFLYER   (b.c. 1774)

CHAMPION SIRE (13 times): 1785–1796 and 1798.

BRED BY Sir Charles Bunbury

WON 12 races incl. Grosvenor Stakes, Newmarket, Great Subscription Race, York, (never beaten).

Highflyer was an unbeatable racehorse who became a great stallion.

Bred by Sir Charles Bunbury, he was a pure-breeding bay, by Herod out of Rachel by the three times Champion Sire, Blank.

Initially, he was sold to the 2^nd Viscount Bolingbroke, who named him after the highflyer walnut trees that grew in the paddock at Great Barton, where he was foaled. However, Bolingbroke resold the colt for £800 to Richard Tattersall the famous auctioneer.

Never beaten and on no occasion paying forfeit, Highflyer raced for three years, winning 12 races, including the Grosvenor Stakes at Newmarket, when four,  over 4m 1f 138 y, and the Great Subscription race at York, when five, over 4 miles.

At Tattersalls’ stud near Ely, Cambridgeshire, Highflyer sired eight Classic winners long before the advent of the Guineas Classics at Newmarket. These included three Derby winners: Noble in 1786; Sir Peter Teazle in 1787 – who later succeeded him as the ten times Champion Sire – and Skyscraper in 1789. He also sired the dams of 11 Classic winners.

The Champion Sire 13 times between 1785 and 1798, Highflyer made a major contribution to the development of the Thoroughbred. He died on 18 October 1793, at his owners’ residence, which had been renamed Highflyer Hall in his honour.

NOTABLE PROGENY:

DELPINI gr.c. 1781 ex COUNTESS by BLANK. Won 9 races. Sire of 3 Classic winners incl. SYMMETRY gr.c. 1795, won St Leger Stakes

OMPHALE b.f. 1781 ex CALLIOPE by SLOUCH. Won St Leger Stakes.

ROCKINGHAM b.c. 1781 ex PURITY by MATCHEM. Won 32 races incl. Jockey Club Plate and 5 King’s Plates. Sire of BELLINA ch.f. 1796, won Oaks Stakes.

COWSLIP b.f. 1782 ex daughter (1771) of SYPHON. Won St Leger Stakes.

NOBLE b.c. 1783 ex BRIM by SQUIRREL. Won 2 races incl. Derby Stakes.

SIR PETER TEAZLE br.c. 1784 ex PAPILLON by SNAP

Won 13 races incl. Derby Stakes, Jockey Club Stakes, Claret Stakes. Champion Sire 10 times between 1799 and 1809, he sired 10 Classic winners incl. 4 Derby winners: SIR HARRY (1798), ARCHDUKE (1799), DITTO (1803) and PARIS (1806).

SPADILLE b.c. 1784 ex FLORA by SQUIRREL Won St Leger Stakes.

HIGHFLYER MARE b.f. 1785 ex daughter (1770) of ENGINEER. Dam of SPREAD EAGLE b.c. 1792 by VOLUNTEER, won Derby Stakes; DIDELOT b.c. 1793 by TRUMPATOR, won Derby Stakes.

YOUNG FLORA b.f. 1785 ex FLORA by SQUIRREL. Won St Leger Stakes.

SKYSCRAPER b.c. 1786 ex EVERLASTING by ECLIPSE.

Skyscraper with the then fashionable clipped ears. Sam Chifney Snr, aboard.

Won 15 races incl. Princes Stakes, Newmarket, Derby Stakes, Claret Stakes (walk-over) and 3 King’s Plates.

HUNCAMUNCA br.f. 1787 ex CYPHER by SQUIRREL. Dam of CHAMPION b.c. 1797 by POT-8-O’s won Derby Stakes, St Leger Stakes.

PRUNELLA b.f. 1788 ex PROMISE by SNAP. Dam of PELISSE br.f. 1801 by WHISKEY, won Oaks Stakes; POPE b.c. 1806 by WAXY, won Derby Stakes.

ST GEORGE b.c. 1789 ex daughter (1775) of ECLIPSE. Won 14 races incl. King’s Plate, York, Jockey Club Plate. Sire of PAN ch.c. 1805, won Derby Stakes.

VOLANTE b.f. 1789 ex FANNY by ECLIPSE. Won Oaks Stakes.

DIAMOND br.c. 1792 ex daughter (1774) of MATCHEM. Won 21 races incl. Jockey Club Stakes, Jockey Club Cup, Oxford Cup.

____________________________________________________

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s TV interviews go to the foot of About Michael

EPSOM’S RACE DAYS

Part Three 1900-1939

Diamond Jubilee to Blue Peter

 In 1900, the two-day Spring Meeting featured the Great Metropolitan on Tuesday and the City and Suburban on Wednesday.

Both winners – King’s Messenger and The Grafter – were ridden by Mornington Cannon. Morny, as he was known, was Champion Jockey six times and the previous year won the Triple Crown on Flying Fox.

The Summer Meeting opened on Tuesday, 29^th May, with Tod Sloan on Jubert (3y-7st-3lb), winning the Craven Stakes by eight lengths and Bob Sievier’s Toddington by Melton, taking the Woodcote Stakes.

On Wednesday, the Derby was won by the Prince of Wales’s 6-4 favourite, Diamond Jubilee, ridden by Herbert Jones, pictured.

Diamond Jubilee by St Simon ex Perdita, later became the ninth winner of the Triple Crown.

Thursday had a strong card, including The Royal Stakes (1,000 sov added), The Great Surrey Foal Stakes, The Epsom Cup over the Derby Course and the 10-furlong Durdans Plate – the latter two winners ridden by the tiny American, Johnny “Knickerbocker” Reiff.

The Oaks on  Friday, was won by the Duke of Portland’s La Roche (also by St Simon), ridden by Morny Cannon, while Tod Sloan won both the Walton Plate with Planudes and the Acorn Stakes on Princess Melton.

Epsom in 1913 – the year of the infamous Suffragette Derby – continued with two meetings – the Spring in April and the Summer in June.

The Spring Meeting opened on Tuesday, 22^nd April, with the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the Great Metropolitan and the Great Surrey Handicap. The latter, over five-furlongs, was won by Jack Barnato Joel’s Golden Sun from his brother, Solly Joel’s Poor Boy.

Both men were brought up in the East End of London and made their fortunes from the Kimberly diamond mines in South Africa.

On Wednesday, Drinmore won the City and Suburban, by a short head from Limon, with Lorenzo third. The following race, the Hyde Park Plate, was won by Charles Bower Ismay’s Elgon, Bower Ismay would be better known at the Summer Meeting as the owner of Craganour, the disqualified winner of the Derby.

On Tuesday, 3^rd June, Epsom’s Summer Meeting got off to a surprise start, when Solly Joel’s, St Gall (10-1), beat his brother Jim’s, Sunspot (8-13F), by a short-head in the Craven Stakes. Danny Maher, however, quickly put the crowd in a better mood when bringing home Bower Ismay’s Elgon (11-4F), in the Wallington Plate. The Woodcote Stakes then provided a treat for racegoers when Steve Donoghue rode The Tetrarch  – “The Spotted Wonder” – pictured below – to a three-length victory.

 Although Wednesday’s Derby has been enshrined in history, it is worth noting that the first two races were from the five-furlong start opposite, not giving Emily Wilding Davison any idea of the speed of the horses approaching from an out of sight position near Tattenham Corner. To add to the drama, Charles Bower Ismay’s Craganour was disqualified amid claims of prejudice and the race awarded to the 100-1 chance Aboyeur.

The next race, the valuable Stewards’ Handicap, was won by ‘Atty’ Persse’s St Meriadoc, ridden by Steve Donoghue. But even there was a dark story, when the rough riding of Huxley on Eustace Loder’s, Augur, brought down Felizardo, with fatal consequences. Truly, a black day for all concerned.

 For more information on ‘The Suffragette Derby’ – see a previous posting dated February 2018

 Thursday, saw Prince Kinsky’s, Mediator win the Royal Stakes, the popular Prince Palatine win the Coronation Cup and the City and Suburban winner, Drinmore, bag the Durdans Plate.

On Friday, the Oaks was won by Jim Joel’s 1,000 Guineas winner, Jest, and he rounded off the eventful meeting by winning the last race – The Effingham Plate – with the favourite, Blue Stone, ridden by Frank Wootton.

 In 1914, what came to be known as “The Great War Building”, was erected to provide kitchens, dining rooms and overnight accommodation for temporary staff.

1919 – Racing returns to Epsom.

Due to The Great War, Epsom’s meetings (1915-1918), were transferred to Newmarket, returning with a two-day Spring Meeting on Tuesday 29^th April, 1919.

The opening day featuring the Great Metropolitan, was won by Langdon Hills, carrying 6st 8lb (K. Robertson aboard). Wednesday cheered the punters with four winning favourites, and Steve Donoghue winning the City and Suburban on the well supported Royal Bucks.

The Summer Meeting resumed its tradition, opening on Tuesday, 3^rd June, with the Woodcote Stakes. On Wednesday, “The Peace Derby”, was won by the appropriately named, Grand Parade at 33-1, the owner, Lord Glanely, adding the Coronation Cup the following day with He by Santoi.  Although Friday’s Oaks was won by Lady James Douglas’s Bayuda at 100-7, nonetheless, punters went home happy, with favourites winning the other five races.

1926 maintained the traditional programme with a two-day Spring Meeting in April and a four-day Summer Meeting in June.

The Spring Meeting featured a seven-race card on both days, Tuesday, 20^th April, headlining the Great Metropolitan, where Kyra (Freddie Fox up) cantered away from 14 rivals, to win by five lengths at 10-1.

In the Westminster Stakes – five furlongs for juveniles – punters survived a nervous breakdown when the impressive Newmarket winner, Nadia, backed into 4-9, violently swerved in the closing stages, causing Harry Wragg to rally her to a head victory on the line.

The next day, Steve Donoghue won the City and Suburban on the popular Warden of the Marshes with a masterly ride – bulked close home, but finding an opening, shot through to win easily.

The Summer Meeting opened on Tuesday, 1^st June, with Steve Donoghue riding a treble of well-backed horses: the seven-year-old, Unexpected, in the Ashtead Seller, Birthright in the Woodcote and Rhyolite in the Epsom Handicap. On the Wednesday – Derby Day – Nadia made a reappearance, winning the Wallington Seller (£296), and then bought back for 1,400 gns !

The Derby was won by the Fred Darling trained, Coronach, who ridden by Joe Childs, led from beginning to end in driving rain, to win by five lengths.

Thursday, featured the Coronation Cup, with the previous St Leger’s first and second – Solario and Zambo – vying for favouritism, with Warden of the Marshes reunited with Steve Donoghue. Despite the anticipation Solario and Joe Childs took them apart to win by 15 lengths.

The Oaks on Friday looked a teasing problem with the first four in the One Thousand Guineas – Pillion, Trilogy, Short Story and Part Worn – renewing rivalry. Short Story was the best supported at 5-1 and with Bobby Jones aboard, won by four lengths, from Resplendent and Gay Bird.

The day after the Summer Meeting, work began in demolishing all the stands apart from the Prince’s Stand and the 1914 building. The re-building of the new stands was completed in 40 weeks in order that the Spring Meeting could start on Tuesday, 19^th April, 1927. Whereupon, the largest racecourse grandstand in Europe could receive 20,000 visitors. This year, the BBC broadcast a commentary of the Derby for the first time to South Africa, Australia and China.

1939 – and the last Spring and Summer Meetings run before the start of World War II.

The Spring Meeting, extended to three days, opened on Tuesday, 18^th April. Strangely, the winners of the two main races already had a wartime sound about them – Lillibullero (bottom weight, carrying 6st 12lb), was a tune later adopted by the BBC throughout the war, while the winner of the Princess Elizabeth Stakes – Infra Red (used in the process of night-vision cameras), was trained by Boyd-Rochfort and owned by Marshall Field.

On Wednesday, the City and Suburban was won in a canter by the Ossie Bell trained, Bistolfi. As Captain Ossie Bell, he trained at Lambourn between the wars, from where he sent out Felstead to win the 1928 Derby and Rockfel, the 1938 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

Thursday featured the Blue Riband Trial Stakes (1mile 110 yds), won by Lord Rosebery’s Blue Peter, the last winner of the Trial to win the Derby.

The four-day Summer Meeting opened on Tuesday, 23^rd May and kept to its traditional format. The Woodcote Stakes was won by Fred Darling’s, talented, Tant Mieux, future winner of the New Stakes at Ascot and the Gimcrack Stakes at York.

On Wednesday, Blue Peter, pictured, won the Derby by four lengths, as 7-2 favourite, with Eph Smith aboard. 

Then on the Thursday, Gordon Richards won the Coronation Cup on Scottish Union, beating Bistolfi by six lengths.

Finally, Friday’s Oaks was won by Galatea, the 10-11 favourite, ridden by Bobby Jones. Jones gave the punters a scare, when well clear and over confident, he dropped his hands too early and had to scramble home by a head from the fast finishing White Fox.

 Epsom’s race days

Part Four 1946-1984

  Airborne – Secreto

 1946, the war over and the Derby back at Epsom, this was the first occasion that the Royal Party drove up the course, albeit in closed cars due to the rain; King George VI, wearing a bowler hat, was accompanied by Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth.

With the card for the Spring Meeting advanced to the August Bank Holiday, the Summer Meeting opened on Tuesday 4^th June, with the traditional four-day programme.

Tuesday, among its feature events, had a new race, the Rosebery Memorial Handicap, run over the Great Metropolitan Course, and won by Sir Victor Sassoon’s Tregor. The Woodcote Stakes was bagged by the Maharaja of Baroda’s, Bhishma, ridden by the Australian jockey, Edgar Britt. And continuing its history, the Durdans Handicap, over the Derby Course, was appropriately won by the 6^th Earl Rosebery’s Parhelion.

On Wednesday, Derby Day, the first two races, both over five furlongs, were won by Gordon Richards on Golden Sorrel and Gold Paint.

Then, as if on cue, the sun came out for the Derby parade and before a massive crowd, the grey colt, Airborne, stormed home at 50-1, from Lord Derby’s Gulf Stream.

Altough Gordon could only manage sixth on Edward Tudor, punters quickly retrieved their losses when he won the Lonsdale Stakes on Prince Aly Khan’s Neocracy.

Thursday, had relatively small fields, with Marcel Boussac’s Ardan, winning the three-runner Coronation Cup and the Maharaja of Baroda’s Ranjit, beating four rivals to win the Great Surrey Foal Plate.

Friday saw Harry Wragg win the Oaks on Sir Alfred Butt’s Steady Aim and Gordon Richards take the Ebbisham Stakes and the Acorn Plate.

The two-day Summer Bank Holiday Meeting opened on Saturday, 3^rd August – Firm going, no watering and small fields.

Gordon Richards in top form, landed a treble – the Westminster Stakes, the Great Metropolitan and the Ladas Handicap, the three races totaling only 10 runners.

Also on the card was the inaugural running of the Diomed Stakes, only three runners, but a thrilling finish with Lord Irwin’s Banco beating Kimberly by a short head.

Monday’s turnout was similar, apart from a hotly contested City and Suburban, won by Lord Rosebery’s Hobo, top-weight and a course winner in June.

 By 1958, Epsom had progressed to nine days racing – three at the Spring Meeting, four for the Summer and two for the August Bank Holiday.

 The Spring Meeting started on Tuesday, April 22^nd on Firm going. Kempton’s Queen’s Prize winner, Hollyhock, won the Great Metropolitan carrying a 10lb penalty, and the Queen’s horse, Miner’s Lamp, won the Blue Riband Trial Stakes; trained by Boyd-Rochfort, he disappointed in the Derby, but later won The Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket.

On Wednesday, in the City and Suburban, Setting Star and Stan Clayton beat Prince Moon and Lester Piggott by a short head. While in the supporting card, Manny Mercer rode the winners of the Cicero Handicap and the Hyde Park Stakes. Thursday’s feature was the valuable Queen Elizabeth Stakes, won by Prince Aly Khan’s Princess Lora, trained in France by Alec Head.

The Summer Meeting, kept the traditional format, with the Woodcote Stakes on Tuesday, going to Loyal Lady, trained by the Derby winning jockey, Tommy Carey at Epsom, and ridden by the American Champion jockey Johnny Longden.

The race before Wednesday’s Derby, gave supporters of Hard Ridden, grave moments of doubt, when Bleep-Bleep (a son of his sire Hard Sauce), slaughtered the field in the five-furlong Caterham Stakes. However, they had no worries in the race when Charlie Smirke, proving the colt’s stamina, cleared right away to win by five lengths. Trained by Mick Rogers at The Curragh, he was only the second Irish horse to win the race.

On Thursday, Vincent O’Brien’s Ballymoss, bagged the Coronation Cup, beating two French-trained horses. But on Friday, the French took their revenge, when their 1,000 Guineas winner and 6-4 favourite, Bella Paola, won the Oaks by three lengths.

At the Bank Holiday Meeting on Saturday, 2^nd August, Master Sands won the Diomed Handicap over seven Furlongs, and on the Monday, the well-backed Buffer, ridden by Terry Stringer, won the Steve Donoghue Apprentices Handicap over the Derby Course.

Tuesday, 25^th April 1967, saw the introduction of Starting Stalls at the Epsom Spring Meeting. The first race, over five furlongs, appropriately named the Bunbury Stakes, was won by a 100-6 longshot, The Industan, ridden by Joe Mercer. The April Handicap followed with victory to the 25-1 Favoured and The Great Metropolitan gave punters no respite, when Moon Storm, ridden by Tony Murray won at 33-1. However, joy came eventually, when Starry Halo, ridden by Lester Piggott, won the Blue Riband Trial Stakes – the only favourite that day.

On Wednesday, the popular six-year-old, Hotroy, trained at Epsom by Walter Nightingall, won the City and Suburban at 100-7, and on Thursday, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes continued the trend when won by Pytchley Princess at 20-1. Whether the innovation of the stalls contributed to the series of shock results, it was never known.

Epsom had three further meetings that year – the four-day Summer Meeting in June, a one-day meeting in late July and a two-day meeting in August.

The first day of the 1967 Summer Meeting – Tuesday, 6^th June, saw Raffingora win the Caterham Stakes for two-year-olds, the first of his 17 wins from 28 starts, Three years later, he returned to Epsom to win the Cherkley Sprint Handicap, where he recorded the then fastest ever electrically timed five-furlongs.

The Woodcote Stakes, the most valuable race that day, was run as the fifth race, and won by Last Shoe, trained by Brian Swift at Ashtead.

Wednesday’s Derby, the first from starting stalls, was won by the 2,000 Guineas winner, Royal Palace, owned by Mr Jim Joel, ridden by George Moore and trained by Noel Murless at Newmarket. Lester Piggott was second on Ribocco and Scobie Breasley on Dart Board third.

The first Derby start from stalls.

(Mobiles turn landscape)

On Thursday, Charlottown, the previous Derby winner, won the Coronation Cup, and on Friday, the Oaks was won by Countess Margit Batthyany’s Pia, trained by Bill Elsey at Malton, Yorkshire and ridden by Eddie Hide.

The Saturday Meeting on 29^th July, featured the Earle Dorling Memorial Handicap, over the Derby Course, the Epsom Sprint Handicap and the Diomed Handicap, run over one mile 110 yards. while the August two-day meeting opened on Monday 28^th, featured the Steve Donoghue Apprentice Handicap – known as the Apprentice’s Derby – and the Moet and Chandon Silver Magnum – known as the Amateur’s Derby.

The card rounded off with the Fifinella Stakes and the Nell Gwyn Stakes for good measure, Sadly, Tuesday’s card had only 26 runners covering the six races – but featured a Ron Hutchinson treble and a Lester Piggott double.

1984 was a memorable year for Epsom with the Derby and Oaks sponsored by Ever Ready Limited with a £2 million three-year deal. Although generally hailed as the first sponsorship, the 17^th Earl of Derby had provided all the added money – £1,000 – in 1915 when the race was run at Newmarket.

Epsom had three meetings this year – two days in April, four in June and a two-day Bank Holiday meeting in late August.

The first day of the Spring Meeting, Tuesday, 24^th April, featured the George Wigg Memorial City and Suburban Handicap, won by My Tony, trained at Epsom by Geoff Lewis and ridden by Taffy Thomas. Also featured, was the Blue Riband Trial Stakes, won by Long Pond, who got up in the last stride, with the assistance of George Duffield.

Wednesday’s features were the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and the Great Metropolitan won by Ian Balding’s Cheka.

Ever Ready Derby Day started on Wednesday, 6^th June, with the Pacemaker Diomed Stakes, followed by the Daily Mirror Handicap. However, the big race had everything – the Guineas winner, El Gran Senor, 8-11 favourite, led a furlong out, apparently cruising, but was finally worried out of it by Christy Roche on Secreto. First there was a photograph showing a short head victory for Secreto, then an objection by Pat Eddery for “leaning on my colt inside the final furlong”. After a lengthy delay the result stood, albeit with groans from the crowd.

Two historic races followed – the 178^th Woodcote Stakes and the 131^st Great Surrey Stakes. Thursday’s Coronation Cup was not sponsored, but fought out between the two previous Oaks winners – Time Charter, with Steve Cauthen up, winning by four lengths from Sun Princess and Willie Carson. Two other races were given the names of famous Epsom trainers: Staff Ingham and Walter Nightingall.

Friday’s card was a low-key affair headed by the Northern Dancer Handicap – appropriate for the sire of both Secreto and El Gran Senor. Saturday’s Gold Seal Oaks went to Lester Piggott on Circus Plume, while Royal Recourse, ridden by American Champion jockey, Willie Shoemaker, won the Ashtead Stakes.

The August Bank Holiday Meeting opened on Monday, 27^th, with two races named after famous Epsom winners, Cicero (1904 Derby) and Bridget (1779 Oaks). Tuesday, saw the City and Suburban winner, My Tony, reappear to take the Chalk Lane Handicap, while the Steve Donoghue Apprentice Derby was won by Guy Landau, a future National Hunt jockey, riding for Guy Harwood on Librate.

Let us hope some of these historic races will find their way into the new Derby Festival programme.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

First at the Post

The first issue of Racing Post was published on Tuesday, 15 April 1986.

The staff had been recruited over the previous six months, some headhunted, but most through a series of interviews from full mailbags of applications.

My own appointment for the position of Accountant had been surprisingly achieved from a field of 53, and in the weeks that followed, I thought I had died and gone to heaven – having an office on the top floor meant regularly passing the time of day with the likes of Sir Peter O’Sullevan, Lord Oaksey and Brough Scott.

The first Editor, Graham Rock (later of Pasternak fame), had put together a professional and polished team of journalists and sub-editors from Timeform, The Sporting Life, the late Sporting Chronicle and from the ranks of the national dailies.

Impressively, among the hundred or so staff, there were a number of devotees in Editorial, who, having already watched all the races on TV that day, would take home the video’s to analyse them again that evening.

As in any gathering of dedicated sporting aficionados, eccentrics were well represented, as were those walking the tightrope of life; one man was reputed to be living in a room without furniture, but kept his greyhound books in the refrigerator, while another came to work in shorts and mountain boots whatever the weather.

There was also the young man, who ran up a large bookies bill and then disappeared, it was thought, to Australia – one aspect of a betting life.

The girls, however, came from different stock. A few, a generation before, may well have been presented as debutants, but in the main, most were well-educated and well-groomed secretaries. Those in Advertising tended to be a bit worldlier, but despite the dizzy pace of life, they knew how to keep their wheels on the road.

After producing several dummy run editions there was great relief and a sense of achievement when the paper finally went live.

Sonic Lady, featured on the front page of the first edition, duly won the Nell Gwyn that day, while Dancing Brave took the Craven Stakes two days later.

After the Guineas Meeting, due to the scheduled demolition and rebuilding of the Rowley Mile Members Stand, the remainder of the Newmarket fixtures that year were transferred to the July Course, including both the Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch.

Later, that October, with the staff settled in and the Post’s circulation growing month on month, a camaraderie had built up, and nowhere more so, than in the Advertising and Bloodstock departments, where around ten staff, hell bent on making their monthly targets, would as a diversion, avidly discuss the merits of the big race candidates.

Landing the ‘Autumn Double’ had always been an ambition of mine and although my previous Cesarewitch winners included Avon’s Pride, Grey of Falloden and Cider with Rosie, all at good prices, I had never been able to double them with the Cambridgeshire winner.

About a week before the Cambridgeshire, I put together four £3 win ante-post doubles – two in each leg – Dallas 14-1 and Tremblant in the Cambridgeshire, with Orange Hill at 33-1 and what turned out to be a non-runner in the Cesarewitch.

Watching the Cambridgeshire at home on TV, Luca Camani’s Dallas ridden by Ray Cochrane, scooted home inside the final furlong, to win by half-a-length from Power Bender, while my other selection, Tremblant, ran well to finish fourth.

The days that followed had a sustained expectancy as my small bet had progressed to a useful £45 going on a 33-1 shot. And since our son Shaun, had entered Cambridge University and was living in local digs, I decided to make a day of it by visiting him before going on to Newmarket. As it was, he came too and, started out with a party of friends.

“What’s all this about Orange Hill?” they asked.

“Well, it’s just that it’s the second leg of an ‘Autumn Double’ bet that I’ve being trying to win since I was a tiny tearaway.”

“Has it got a chance?”

“Should we back it?”

The questions came thick and fast and I guessed that Shaun had told them that I worked at Racing Post.

Anyway, later, when we met up with them again on the racecourse, they had all bet a pound or two on Orange Hill, who by that time had shortened to 20-1.

It was a good card that day and getting to the back of the long grandstand, we saw the gallant filly Triptych win the Champion Stakes in style from Celestial Storm.

Too nervous to go to the paddock for the Cesarewitch, I stayed high up in the stands. Twenty-five runners went to post, with Misrule the 11-2 favourite, while my filly, Orange Hill, was not in the first ten in the betting. As they cantered to post, I zoomed in on my dark green colours.

The long awaited “They’re Off,” reverberated along the course. But with all the excitement I was having difficulty in keeping my binoculars steady. Although I thought I spotted her about three furlongs out, seemingly going well, until she suddenly appeared in trouble and was shuffled back. I lowered my glasses – oh well, it was not to be.

Then a furlong out, I heard the commentator mention Orange Hill. Scanning the leaders, I saw a horse in dark green silks. This one with a black cap – not the one I had been following.

What’s more, she went into the lead and with Richard Fox working away with only 7st 9lb, she looked to be staying on – just.

Both Marlion and Misrule closed to finish alongside and I feared there may have been some bumping – or was it just my heart?

I ran down to the winner’s enclosure for a closer look – then waited. Would there be a stewards enquiry? But no, Fox looked happy and was chatting to trainer Jeremy Tree. The ‘Weighed In’ was called and I raced off to find the telephones, which in these were pre-mobile days, were strangely housed under a row of thatched umbrellas.

  “Hello Pat, Orange Hill won!  Wonderful, yes I know. Look,” I continued, “Would you go down to Thomas Cook’s and book flights to Vancouver for the family? We are going to make that overdue trip to see your brother.”

About an hour later, having missed the next two races, I met up with Shaun and his mates in the bar at the top of the stand. In their effort to ‘strike while the iron was hot’, I was inevitably asked, “Who’s going to win the last?”

 David Elsworth was running Perfect Timing; could she be the third 4-y-o filly to win that afternoon? Her task looked difficult with 9st 11lb, but she did have Steve Cauthen aboard. However, what tipped the balance for me was her dam’s sire, Indigenous, still held the World record over five furlongs – albeit over Epsom’s downhill run, on firm ground and, with the wind behind him!

So having explained my careful, but probably flawed reasoning, they all headed off to the bookies boards like men possessed – taking my modest tenner with them.

Having already witnessed the miracle of landing the Autumn Double, to see Cauthen take up the running in the final 150 yards and win at 8-1, seemed predestined.

Later, Shaun’s friends memorably hailed me as the best father a chap could wish for and, made me promise to tell them when I was next going to Newmarket.

Back at Racing Post the following Monday, word got around that “Churchy has had a big win.”

At lunchtime, we celebrated cheerily with a few beers. Even editor Graham Rock put his head in, “Well done Churchy – first class.” Then with a broad hint of irony added, “If Adrian Cook (Diomed) ever goes sick, I might just be in touch.”

Actually getting my hands on the dosh, however, took a little longer.

For going into the local Coral’s, I was told, “Sorry we don’t keep that much in the till; security, you know. Can you come back in an hour?” This I did.

However, the week before, an alert had gone around, that there were some dud £50 notes in the area. So, when I eventually got paid out with 30 of them, plus a few tenners, I conscientiously began to hold them up, one-by-one, to the light.

Meanwhile, some of the senior Racing Post staff had come into the shop and were standing in line behind me. Soon, two of them started a whispered count …. “Eleven hundred, twelve hundred,” and so on, until eventually they filled the shop with their chant.

I slipped away discreetly – but they never let me forget that day – as if I would.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

Pat Eddery & Willie Carson – Derby & Oaks winning jockeys

Pat Eddery (1952-2015 ), the son of jockey Jimmy Eddery, he was apprenticed to H.C. Nicholson at Cheltenham, and rode his first winner – Alvaro – for trainer Michael Pope at the Epsom Spring Meeting in 1969. Weeks later, he won the Wokingham Stakes for Pope on Sky Rocket (4yr-7st-3lb). He was Leading Jockey at Royal Ascot in 1973, and became Champion Jockey a year later for the first of 11 times (1974-1996). In all, he won 14 Classic races in Britain, including, three winners of the Oaks: Polygamy (1974), Scintillate (1979), Lady Carla (1996), and three winners of the Derby: Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990). He also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe four times, notably on Dancing Brave in 1986. He rode his 4,000th winner in Britain on Silver Patriarch in the 1997 St Leger.

Quest For Fame and Pat Eddery win the 1990 Ever Ready Derby

In his continual battle with the scales, he aimed to ride at 8 stone or just over. Fellow jockey, Ray Cochrane, remembered he had “never seen him finish a sandwich”.

Granted a training licence in 2005, Pat Eddery set up at Musk Hill Stud, near Aylesbury, with his brother Paul as assistant trainer. His training career, however, failed to compare with his riding and the victory of Hearts of Fire in the 2009 Gran Criterium at San Siro, Milan, was his only Group 1 success.

His marriage to Carolyn Mercer, the daughter of the jockey Manny Mercer, in 1978, was dissolved in 2009 and he died on 10 November 2015. He is survived by their two daughters, Natasha and Nichola, an equestrian artist, and their son, Harry.

***        ***       ***         ***

William Hunter Carson (1942-), known as “Willie” Carson, was born in Stirling in Scotland, where his father was a warehouse foreman. In 1959, he was apprenticed to Gerald Armstrong at Tupgill, North Yorkshire, on whose retirement, he completed his indenture with his brother, Fred Armstrong at Newmarket. He rode his first winner, Pinkers Pond, at Catterick Bridge in 1962, going on to ride 3,828 winners and be Champion Jockey five times within 1972-1983.

In total, he won 17 British Classic races, including, four winners of the Oaks: Dunfermline (1977), Bireme (1980), Sun Princess (1983) and Salsabil (1990), together with four winners of the Derby: Troy (1979), Henbit (1980), Nashwan (1989) and Erhaab (1994); his first three winners of each Epsom Classic being trained by Dick Hern.

Nashwan and Willie Carson win the 1989 Ever Ready Derby

Slight in stature – five feet tall and weighing only 7 st. 10 lb., Carson was in great demand as a jockey up to his retirement in 1996 at the age of 54.

Having taken over the Minster House Stud in 1980, he has the distinction of winning the St Leger in 1988, on Minster Son, a horse that he bred.

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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

Epsom’s race days

Part One 1779-1830

   Bridget & Diomed – Priam

In 1779, Epsom ran two race meetings, the first in mid-May and the second in late October.

The May Meeting was run over three days – two races on Wednesday, 12^th – the first won by the Duke of Queensbury’s Slim, who won two of the three-mile heats. The second race, a match between Dennis O’Kelly’s Eclipse colt, Trimbush, and Mr Walker’s Scamp, was won by O’Kelly after agreeing the distance to be 980 yards.

Thursday had only one race – the Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate for horses of five years and upwards, run in four-mile heats – the Duke of Queensbury’s 6-y-o mare, Rosalba by Herod winning both heats.

On Friday, 14^th May, following the Ladies Plate won by Leapfrog, the inaugural Oaks was run over the last mile and a half of the old Orbicular course, and won by Lord Derby’s Bridget, from Mr Vernon’s Fame and ten others. The last race of the meeting, the Town Plate, was run in four-mile heats until one horse had won twice. Mr Stacie’s Toper took the prize after winning the third and fourth heat of a gruelling contest.

The three-day October Meeting opened on Tuesday, 26^th with another Town Plate, this won in two heats by Mr Redfearne’s Hephestion by Marske. Also that afternoon, was a Sweepstake for Hunters carrying 12st, over four miles.

On Wednesday, a Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Subscription Plate for ten 4-y-o’s was run in three-three-mile heats, Mr Jenning’s colt, Standby, winning two.

Thursday’s sport was taken up with another Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate, this one for ten 3-y-o’s over two miles. Captain Bertie’s filly, America by Marske, starting at Evens, took the prize, winning two of the three heats.

 In 1780, Epsom continued to run two meetings, the first in early-May and the second in late October. The May Meeting opened on Wednesday, the 3^rd, with two four-mile heats, won by Hephestion. Thursday the 4^th, saw the inaugural Derby, run over the last mile of the old Orbicular or Cup Course and won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s Diomed.

Diomed – Winner of the first Derby in 1780, with jockey Sam Arnull

This was the first of two races, the second – the Noblemen and Gentleman’s Purse, run in three four-mile heats, was won by Major O’Kelly’s Eclipse colt, King Fergus, a future Champion Sire.

On Friday the 5^th, the Oaks, won by Mr Douglas’s Tetotum, was the first of two races, but Saturday had only one, a Town Plate, won by Lord Milsintown’s grey mare, Tiffany by Eclipse, who won both four-mile heats from six rivals.

Epsom’s 1780, four–day October meeting, opened on Monday the 23^rd, with a Hunters Sweepstake, both heats won by Mr Page’s colt by Matchem. Tuesday, featured a Town Plate, where Leapfrog beat the favourite Hephestion, in both four-mile heats; Wednesday had an 11-runner, 4-y-o Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Plate, won by Mr Dymock’s Alfred by Goldfinder, and on Thursday, a sweep for 3-y-o’s, run in three two-mile heats, was won by Sir John Lade’s Bishop Blaze.

In 1784, the Derby distance was increased to a mile and a half, so bringing it in line with the Oaks.

The Prince’s Stand, was originally built around 1784, and used by the Prince of Wales (later King George IV), for the royal party celebrations when the Prince won the Derby with Sir Thomas in 1788. Until 1829, it was the only permanent building on the Downs.

The Princes Stand – originally built circa 1784

In 1799, there was no October meeting, but the May fixture was extended to four days. However, Wednesday, 8^th May, offered only a two-horse Sweepstakes over three miles, Thursday saw an 11-runner Derby, won by Archibald at 12-1. This was Sir Frank Standish’s third Derby winner, after Spread Eagle in 1795 and Didelot in 1796. The day concluded with a three-runner Sweepstakes over four miles.

Friday featured a four-runner-Oaks won by Lord Grosvenor’s Bellina. Grosvenor, a leading light on the Turf at the time, had previously owned three Derby winners, including the two brothers, Rhadamanthus(1790) and Daedalus (1794), and five Oaks winners, of which Bellina was his last.

The day continued with a 100-guinea one-mile match and closed with two two-mile heats for 3-y-o’s. Saturday’s opening race was the Woodcot Stakes (note the spelling), for 2-y-o colts and fillies over four furlongs. This was followed by a Sweepstakes for fillies (8st.) over a mile and a quarter, and won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s Pamela. The meeting concluded with a three-mile match, the winner, Mr Hay’s Midnight, conceding 2st, to the second.

For the record, this year’s even-money Derby favourite, Eagle, had yet to be named, and ran in the Derby as Brother to Spread Eagle. In the same way, the 1796 Derby favourite, Mr Teazle, had gone to post known as the Sir Peter colt. These two beaten favourites thereafter, fuelled a suspicion and prejudice against running unnamed candidates in the Derby.

 By 1830, single races were in vogue, the number of horses in training multiplied and fewer races were run in heats.

The previous year, Epsom opened the new Grandstand accommodating 5,000 spectators, including 2,000 standing on a terraced roof; the advertising proclaiming, “everyone can see the whole of the Derby Course.”

Epsom continued to run two meetings – four days in May and two days in October.

On Tuesday the ^{25th of May}, The Colonel, 2-1 favourite, took the Craven Stakes, the first of five races, before a dead-heat in the Shirley Stakes with Stakes divided. On Wednesday, Merman won the two-mile Epsom Gold Cup, followed by a Partisan filly taking the Woodcote Stakes.

Thursday started with the Derby, the first of five races, where Priam, owned and trained by William Chifney, beat 22 rivals. Friday, also had five races, commencing with the Oaks, where Mr Scott Stonehewer’s, Variation beat 17 rivals, to win at 28-1.

Finally, in mid-October – Thursday the 14^th, there were three races featuring the six-furlong, Epsom Stakes for two and three-year-olds, and on Friday, the Wellington Stakes, a handicap over the Derby Course, the first of four races.

This pattern continued to the mid-19th century when the Great Metropolitan Handicap (2 miles 2 furlongs) and the City and Suburban Handicap (1 mile 2 furlongs) injected new life into racing at Epsom, with betting on the double a major feature.

EPSOM’S RACE DAYS

Part Two  1844-1886

Orlando to Ormonde

In 1844 – the year of the Running Rein affair – the Spring Meeting was run as a single day – 29^th March – comprising the one-mile Epsom Trial Stakes, two Sweepstakes won by Lord George Bentinck and a six-furlong Match.

The May Meeting opened, as usual, with the Woodcote Stakes on Tuesday, 21^st.

The infamous Derby was run on Wednesday, 22^nd, the first of four races, after which, Colonel Peel, the owner of the second, Orlando, claimed the stakes and advised no money be paid to the owner’s of Running Rein.

Ironically, the following race, the Epsom Stakes, was won by the appropriately named, Misdeal, owned by Lord Bentinck – the main force behind the disqualification of Running Rein, whose story is related in a previous posting.

Thursday’s feature was the Surrey Cup, a handicap over two miles, won by Lord Verulam’s, Robert de Gorham, carrying the top weight of 8st 6lb and winning by two lengths from 15 rivals.

In Friday’s Oaks Stakes, the first of three races, 25 went to post, a record to that date – The Princess – a well-backed winner at 5-1 was ridden by Frank Butler. The final race saw Misdeal win again at the Meeting, this time with a different owner – Mr Death.

There was no October Meeting.

Forward to 1853 and the first Triple Crown winner – West Australian 

There were three Meetings at Epsom – April, May and November.

1853 West Australian

The one-day Epsom Spring Meeting run on Thursday 7^th April, featured both the City and Suburban and the Great Metropolitan handicaps, the jockeys at this time being both smaller and lighter than today .

The former race was won by the 2-1 favourite, Ethelbert, 3y-5st-13lb, and ridden by Tiny Wells, one of the tallest jockeys in the weighing room. The Great Met was won by Gadabout (3y-5st-7lb), from Richmond (4y-5st-9lb) and Contentment (3y-4st-7lb), the latter the 5-4 gamble of the day, ridden by 16-year old and future champion jockey, George Fordham.

The May Meeting opened on Tuesday, the 24th, with the mile-and-a-quarter Craven Stakes, won by Grapeshot with Tiny Wells aboard.

He later won the Horton Stakes on the filly Antonina. Curiously, the Woodcote Stakes was won by Mr R. E. Cooper’s completely un-backed colt, Woodcote.

On the Wednesday, the Derby, now the second race on the card, was won by John Bowes’s West Australian, later determined as the first Triple Crown winner.

Thursday featured a King’s Plate for mares, while on Friday, the Oaks, was won by the 5-4 favourite, Catherine Hayes (named after Dennis O’Kelly’s mistress).

Epsom’s one-day Autumn Meeting was run on 3^rd November – six races with the Epsom Autumn Handicap the feature; this run over the Derby Course and won easily by the even-money favourite, Little David, ridden by George Fordham.

By 1865 racehorses were now sent to meetings in special trains; two and four-mile Sweepstakes were a thing of the past and, the racing public were informed by Bell’s Life in London, The Field and The Sporting Life.

Epsom’s two-day Spring Meeting was run in April, on Tuesday, 25^th and Wednesday 26^th.

Tuesday’s card comprised six races including, the Inkerman Plate, a handicap for all ages, run over four furlongs.

The 2-y-o‘s carried 5st 7lb, but the winner, Hesper, aged seven, ridden by George Fordham, 10st 10lb. Also that day, the City and Suburban had a field of 20, with Tiny Wells bringing in Argonaut at 25-1.

Wednesday had eight races, including the Great Metropolitan won by Mr Craven’s Planet, ridden by Thomas French. The last race, the New 2-y-o Stakes run over six furlongs, saw Count Batthyany’s, even-money favourite, Mazeppa, driven home by Custance to win by a neck.

The May Meeting, opened on Tuesday, 30^th, and sported a seven-race card, with Janitor (Tiny Wells), beating Mazeppa  (Custance), in the Woodcote Stakes.

On Wednesday, the 29-runner Derby went to Comte Frederick de Lagrange’s French-bred, Gladiateur, with Christmas Carol two lengths away, second.

Swift compensation came a day later when Christmas Carol won the Epsom Cup over the same course.

Gladiateur,  publicised as The Avenger of Waterloo. was not only the first French winner of the Derby, but the Triple Crown also.

On the Friday, in the third of seven races, Mr Harlock’s 20-1 shot Regalia, won the Oaks by six lengths.

In 1875, after additional accommodation was hurriedly constructed for the visit of the Prince of Wales, the two-day Spring Meeting opened on Tuesday, 20^th April, with seven races, including the 23-runner City and Suburban won by Dalham at odds of 1000-15 (66-1 these days).

Wednesday went one better with eight races, starting with a seven-furlong High-weight handicap, with weights ranging from 8st 7lb to 11st 0lb.

The Great Metropolitan was won by James Nightingall’s, Hampton, a 3-y-o with 6st 3lb (including a 5lb penalty).

Hampton went on to win the Goodwood Cup, Doncaster Cup and Epsom Gold Cup, before siring three Derby winners: Merry Hampton (1887), Ayrshire (1888) and Ladas (1894) and the dam of Derby winners, Persimmon (1896) and Diamond Jubilee (1900).

With Derby Day crowds now regularly exceeding half a million, the four-day Summer Meeting ran from Tuesday, May 25^th to Friday, 28^th, during which many bookmakers suffered heavy losses.

Favourites won four of the five races on Derby Day, including the well-backed Derby winner, Galopin and, the last four races on Oaks Day, including the 5-4 Oaks favourite, Spinaway.

 1886 – Saw the opening of a new three-storey Club Stand, topped with a small tower; this replacing the previous west extension to the Grandstand.

 Epsom ran three meetings – the Spring meeting in early April, the Summer Meeting in late May and the return of the Autumn Meeting, this time in early October.

The Spring Meeting opened on Tuesday, 6^th May, with seven races, featuring the Great Metropolitan, won by Postscript, owned and trained by Tom Cannon.

Tom had ridden the winners of 13 Classic races, including Shotover (1882 Derby) and trained Busybody to win the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks.

Later that day, the Prince of Wales Handicap was won by Criterion, with the 5-y-o mare, Perdita, a length away second. At the end of the year she went to stud and mated to St Simon produced the Prince of Wales’s Derby winners Persimmon (1896) and Diamond Jubilee (1900).

On Wednesday, 7^th May, the City and Suburban provided an exciting finish between the first two in the market: Charlie Wood on Royal Hampton (100-12), beating 5-1 favourite, Highland Chief (George Barrett) by half-a-length.

The Summer Meeting got underway on Tuesday, 25^th May, with The Baron, ridden by Charlie Wood winning the Woodcote Stakes. Charlie had ridden the first of his three Derby winners in 1883, on St Blaise.

 On Wednesday, Ormonde, ridden by Fred Archer, cruised to victory in the Derby at odds of 4-9, landing the second leg of his historic Triple Crown.

Ormonde and Fred Archer

The next day featured The Epsom Grand Prize, for 3-y-o’s, run over the City and Suburban Course with 1,000 sov. added for the winner and 200 sov. for the breeder. Lord Alington took both prizes with Candlemas, a son of Hermit and brother to St Blaise.

On Friday, Miss Jummy was a popular Oaks winner at even-money, but bookmakers got it back in the Epsom Cup, when the 1-8 Bird of Freedom (Fred Archer), was beaten by Radius in a three-horse race.

The two-day Autumn Meeting opened on Wednesday 6^th October, with the one-mile October Handicap centre stage. The starter, however, let them go with the favourite, Gay Hermit, facing the other way. Finishing down the field his jockey, George Barrett was called before the Stewards, but on hearing the evidence they acquitted him of “any intentional misconduct.”

Thursday’s card had six races and featured the Corinthian Plate, wherein the first three home were ridden by their owners, including George ‘Abingdon’ Baird, the successful owner/jockey buying back his bay colt, Tommy Upton for 380 guineas.

 Throughout this period the Derby was by far the most prostigious sporting event in Great Britain.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s interviews go to the foot of About Michael

2024 Betfred Derby

Run on Saturday, 1 June, 2024 as the Betfred Derby over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; entire colts 9st 2lb, fillies 8st 13lb. 75 entries. Value to winner £882,407.60

1^st     CITY OF TROY                     Ryan Moore                3-1 Fav

2^nd   AMBIENT FRIENDLY             Robert Havlin        9-2           2¾ lengths

3^rd    LOS ANGELES                Wayne Lordan       6-1            3¼  lengths

 Also ran: 4^th Deira Mile (Jim Crowley) 14-1; Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand) 50-1; Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle) 8-1: Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy) 16-1; Ancient Wisdom (William Buick) 6-1; Euphoric (Declan McDonogh) 33-1; Tabletalk (James Doyle) 100-1; Kamboo (Richard Kingscote) 80-1; God’s Window (Kieran Shoemark) 33-1; Macduff (Rossa Ryan) 14-1; Dallas Star (David Egan) 33-1 (tailed off); Mr Hamstead (Sean Levey) 80-1 (tailed off 93½  lengths behind the winner: Voyage (Pat Dobbs) 28-1 (unseated at start).

For those attending this years Betfred Derby, there was an absence of the protest groups that had  threatened trouble the previous year. Moreover, with no Cup Final to contend with, the race returned to the more suitable time of 4.30. King Charles and Queen Camilla, having attended the day before to see their Oaks entry, Treasure run, were not present to see the Derby.

Now to the contenders:

City Of Troy, by the American Triple Crown winner, Justify, and rated Europe’s top two-year-old after his impressive victory in Newmarket’s Dewhurst Stakes, was a bitter disappointment in the 2,000 Guineas, starting the 4-6 favourite and finishing 9th of 11, beaten 17 lengths by Godolphin’s Notable Speech. In the run up to the Derby his price yo-yoed as punters searched for an alternative. The Gredley Families Ambient Friendly, provided that and was backed down on the day to 9-2, after an impressive victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Others in contention at 6-1 were Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom, winner of the Doncaster Futurity, and Los Angeles, Aiden O’Brien’s second string, unbeaten in three runs.

Sixteen runners went to post and the commentators “The’re Off”, was met with a great cheer. Leaving the stalls, Voyage, drawn 16 of 16 stumbled and unseated Pat Dobbs. However, the early pace was not affected and was taken up by the O’Brien pair Euphoric and Los Angeles in an attempt to set the race up for City Of Troy, who from stall 1 settled in at the rear of the field.

Running down from the highest point to Tattenham Corner, Euphoric led from Los Angeles, Sayedaty Sadaty and Dallas Star, while taking the corner, City Of Troy was still only in mid-division. Ominously, three furlongs out, Ambient Friendly was seen cruising, while Ryan Moore searched for a gap off the rails.

Then, two furlongs out, taking the opportunity as the field spread out a little, Moore drove City Of Troy through a gap between his stable companions to join the leaders, momentarily sharing the lead with Ambient Friendly, who in the final duel proved no match for City Of Troy, who went on to win by 2¾ lengths. Los Angeles, a further 3¼ lengths adrift ran an honorable third, while Deira Mile snatched fourth in the final strides.

This was Aidan O’Brien’s record tenth Derby winner and Mrs John (Sue) Magnier and Michael Tabor’s 11^th in partnership. It was also Ryan Moore’s fourth Derby winner following Auguste Rodin (2023), Ruler Of The World  (2013) and Workforce (2010).

16 ran. Time 2min 38.32 sec

The winner was BRED by Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt. OWNED by Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith and TRAINED by A P O’Brien at Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

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The winner, CITY OF TROY (b.c. 2021), has won 4 races from 5 starts: Barronstown Stud EBF (C & F) Maiden, The Curragh, Bet365 Superlative Stakes, and Native Trail’s Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Betfred Derby Stakes, Epsom. 

The sire, JUSTIFY (ch.c.2015), ex STAGE MAGIC by GHOSTZAPPER, won 5 races from 6 starts incl. Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Preakness, Pimlico, Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park.

The dam, TOGETHER FOREVER (b.f.2012), by GALILEO ex GREEN ROOM by THEATRICAL, won 3 races incl Dubai Fillies Mile, Newmarket and has bred 4 other winners.

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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

To see Michael’s TV interviews go to the foot of About Michael

2024 Betfred Oaks

 RUN on Friday, 31 May 2024, as the Betfred Oaks, over the Derby Course of one mile and a half and 6 yards, Epsom Downs. For three-year-old fillies, 9st 2lb. Value to winner £311,905.

1^st   EZELIYA  Chris Hayes   13-2

2^nd DANCE SEQUENCE   William Buick    7-1        3 lengths

3^rd  WAR CHIMES  Tom Marquand   50-1      1½ lengths

Also ran: 4^th You Got To Me (Hector Crouch) 15-2; Caught U Looking (Colin Keane) 16-1; Ylang Ylang (Ryan Moore) 11-8 Fav; Forest Fairy (Rossa Ryan) 10-1; Making Dreams (Clifford Lee) 40-1;  Rubies Are Red (Wayne Lordan) 12-1; Secret Satire (Oisin Murphy) 20-1 (tailed off); Treasure (James Doyle) 22-1 (tailed off);  Seaward (Sylvestre De Sousa) 40-1 (tailed off, last).

Commentary:  The clear favourite at 11-8 for this years Oaks was Ylang Ylang, a Frankel filly trained by Aidan O’Brien, who having won Newmarket’s Fillies Mile as a juvenile, finished a very close fifth in the 1,000 Guineas, beaten only a length. Next in the market at 13-2 was the Aga Khan’s, Dubawi filly, Ezeliya, winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan. Godolphin’s Dance Sequence, also by Dubawi, and winner of the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket as a juvenile, was despite disappointing in the Guineas, a popular alternative at 7-1. Treasure, the Royal runner, was available at 22-1.

Twelve runners lined up on good to soft ground for the 246th Oaks Stakes. Caught You Looking, Secret Satire and Making Dreams (outside), took them along until Making Dreams built up a lead after 3 furlongs, extending it to four lengths at the top of the hill from Seaward, Treasure and Caught U Looking. At this point the O’Brian pair, Ylang Ylang and Rubies Are Red were at the back  of the field.

Coming out of Tattenham Corner, Making Dreams was joined by You Got To Me and Caught U Looking, with Ezeliya in close attendance.

However, passing the 2 furlong pole, Dance Sequence made progress to join Ezeliya; battle ensued, until approaching 100 yards out, when Ezeliya, with Chris Hayes aboard, stormed clear to win by 3 lengths.

In the closing stages, War Chimes ran on well to finish third a further length and a half away.

Ylang Ylang, pushed along from Tattenham Corner, finished a well beaten 6th.

12 ran   Time 2 min 42.06 sec

Winner BRED by H.H. The Aga Khan’s Studs SC. OWNED by H.H. The Aga Khan TRAINED by D.K. Weld, Ireland

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The winner, EZELIYA (b.f. 2021), has won 3 races from 4 starts: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, Cork, Irish Stallion Farms EBF Salsabil Stakes, Navan, Betfred Oaks.

The sire, DUBAWI (b.c.2002) ex DUBAI MILLENNIUM by SEEKING THE GOLD, won 5 races from 8 starts incl. National Stakes and Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, Prix Jaques Le Marois, Deauville. Second in Queen Elizabeth ll Stakes. Third in Vodafone Derby. Champion Sire in GB & Ireland 2022. Sire of 6 GB Classic winners 2010-2024.

The dam, EZIYRA (ch.f. 2003) by TEOFILO, ex EYTARNA by DUBAI DESTINATION, won 6 races from 13 starts incl. Moyglare “Jewells” Blandford Stakes, The Curragh. She has  bred 1 other winner: EZIVA b.f. 2020 by MEDAGLIA D’ORO, won 1 race from 5 starts, a Tramore Maiden over 1 mile 4 furlongs.

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For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale. 

The 1844 Running Rein Derby Scandal

Villainy on the Turf was to reach a new peak in the Derby of 1844, when the apparent winner Running Rein, owned by Mr A. Wood, a respectable Epsom corn-chandler, was in reality a four-year-old named Maccabeus. In the past, although the occasional winner of the Derby had been under suspicion of being a year older, no one had been able to gather enough evidence to mount a successful challenge.

This plot began in September 1841, when an unscrupulous villain, Abraham Goodman Levi, known as Goodman of Foley Place, London, bought Maccabeus, “a bright bay, no white, black legs and good eyes,” as a yearling at Tattersalls Doncaster Sales. Maccabeus, foaled in April 1840 and bred by Sir Charles Ibbotson in Yorkshire, was by Gladiator out of a Capsicum mare, and held an entry in the 1843 Derby.

A month later, Harry Stebbings, a Yorkshire trainer, purchased for Goodman a colt foal by the Saddler out of Mab, for 28 guineas. Bred by Dr. Cobb of Malton, Running Rein was slightly built with black legs and feet and significantly a few white hairs on his head. Although born in May, he was noted as a “smart little fellow” and so entered in the Derby. Kept in Stebbings’ care until the following spring, he was then sent to Goodman’s stables at Langham Place, London. (Lord George Bentinck below).

In the autumn, Goodman sent three horses, including Maccabeus and Running Rein, to be broken in at the Epsom stables of William Smith. The intrigue went deeper when Goodman leased an Irish two-year-old named Goneaway to run as Maccabeus at Epsom in the spring. Later that year the colt was reported dead, but Goneaway had in fact returned to Ireland. Meanwhile at Epsom, the real Maccabeus, having a permanent scar on his leg, was matched by Running Rein, who after recently suffering a convenient accident, now gave both colt’s identical scars.  The enquiry, held at the Houghton Meeting two weeks later, hinged on whether the stable lad, present at the birth of Running Rein and with him until sold to Goodman, could identify the horse. The lad travelled down from Yorkshire the night before under close guard and was taken to the Stewards of the Jockey Club the next day. To the dismay of the objectors, he identified the horse without hesitation, since a switch had been skilfully perpetrated and the ‘impersonator’ spirited away. Goodman’s ploy seemed to have worked as Maccabeus was now recorded as Running Rein.
The winter joint-favourites for the Derby at 7-1 were William Crockford’s Ratan and John Day’s The Ugly Buck, while Goodman’s wagers had reduced the price of ‘Running Rein’ from 33-1 to 20-1. In view of his Derby bets, Goodman decided it would be prudent to sell Running Rein to Mr A.Wood, a corn merchant who supplied Smith’s yard. He hoped this would remove the attentions of both the Jockey Club and Lord George Bentinck.

On the Saturday before the Derby, a signed petition was given to the Epsom stewards requesting that Running Rein’s mouth be examined by a vet to determine his age. On the advice of Captain (later Admiral) Rous, the stewards allowed the horse to run, stating that if he won an inquiry would follow before any payment of stakes.

On Derby Day, The Ugly Buck, having won the Two Thousand Guineas, was a well supported favourite at 5-2. Ratan, winner of the New Stakes at Ascot and the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket was on 3-1, with Running Rein next in the market at 10-1 and Orlando on 20-1.  Goodman, present at the saddling of the runners, suddenly became very anxious, having realised Lord George Bentinck’s runner, Croton Oil, was out of the same dam as Maccabeus.

Bentinck stood a few yards off. Now so close to landing his coup, Goodman feared Bentinck would recognise Croton Oil and Maccabeus as half-brothers – but he didn’t.

Scheduled as the first race on the card and after two false starts the Derby got under way. The field, unseen from the grandstand until coming from behind the hill, saw Leander lead from Ratan, The Ugly Buck, Akbar and Voltri. Due to the hard ground, the leaders kicked up so much dust that jockeys and horses towards the rear of the field were partially blinded and choking in clouds of dust. At the mile post, Sam Mann took Running Rein up to join Leander, whose early pace had already distanced some of the runners.

At the top of the hill, tragedy awaited Leander, as Running Rein struck into his off hind leg sending him crashing down and shattering his leg above the fetlock. Running Rein, miraculously escaping damage, went further ahead in the run down to Tattenham Corner. Well clear entering the straight, he saw off the challenges of The Ugly Buck and Akbar, as Orlando, Ionian and Bay Momus now came into contention. At the distance, Colonel Peel’s Orlando and Ionian looked to be closing, but Running Rein held on to win by three-quarters of a length.

Running Rein

Goodman Levi’s joy was short lived, for within an hour Colonel Jonathan Peel (brother of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel), supported by Bentinck, lodged an objection and then proceeded to take legal action against Mr A. Wood, the innocent owner of the winner.

To add to the turmoil, this was not the only villainous fraud in the race. The Litchwald brothers, later banned for life, had entered Leander knowing him to be six years old. Poor Leander was shot and buried, less his lower jaw, sawn off for the stewards to determine the age of the colt. Later that night, a party of trainers and jockeys conspired to dig up and remove the remainder of the horse’s head and the upper jaw to prevent any further investigations. Further villainy came to light when it was known that the favourite, The Ugly Buck, was pulled by his jockey, and the second favourite, Ratan, owned by the great gambler William Crockford, was both pulled and poisoned in an act of revenge.

Much confusion followed, before the civil case of Wood v Peel held at the Court of the Exchequer on 1 July, 1844 settled the matter. After hearing all the evidence, the Judge demanded they “produce the horse”. The plaintiff and his counsel, not able to comply, withdrew from the case, leaving Peel and Bentinck triumphant. Orlando was awarded the Derby, while Goodman and his cronies, who had stood to win £50,000, fled to France.

Orlando

It should be noted as a gauge of public opinion, immediately after the Derby, odds of 2-1 were laid on Running Rein keeping the race. Forward six weeks to the end of the first day’s hearing and 10-1 was offered on Orlando – with no takers!

When the news reached Newmarket, such was the joy that all the church bells were rung and bands paraded in the streets. Finally, Lord George Bentinck was rewarded for his diligence by a testimonial, from which was founded the Bentinck Benevolent Fund for the needy dependants of trainers and jockeys.

While the whereabouts of Running Rein remained a mystery, Maccabeus raced in his own name as a five-year old, until exported to Russia for stallion duties.

Orlando, went to stud at Newmarket for a fee of only 10 guineas. He was an instant success, getting Teddington (1851 Derby) in his first crop and siring three winners of the Two Thousand Guineas: Fazzoletto (1856), Fitzroland (1858) and Diophantus (1861). He became Champion Sire in 1851, 1854 and 1858, and died in the ownership of Mr Charles Greville, at Hampton Court in December 1868.

The Race:

RUN on Wednesday, 22 May, 1844, over the last mile and a half of the Orbicular or. Cup Course at Epsom Downs. For three-year-olds; colts and geldings 8st 7lb, fillies 8st 2lb. 153 entries. Value to winner £4,300.

1st  COLONEL JONATHAN PEEL’s b.c. ORLANDO (Touchstone – Vulture)  Nat Flatman

2nd  COLONEL JONATHAN PEEL’s b.c. IONIAN (Ion – Malibran)  George Edwards

3rd  COLONEL GEORGE ANSON’s b.c. BAY MOMUS (Bay Middleton – Sister to Grey Momus)  Frank Butler

Also ran:

MR J. DAY’s b. c. The Ugly Buck (J. Day, Jun.); SIR G. HEATHCOTE’s ch.c. Akbar (J. Chapple); MR W. CROCKFORD’s ch.c. Ratan (S.Rogers); MR J. DAY’s br.c. Voltri (W. Day); MR J. BOWES’s b.c. T’Auld Squire (J. Holmes); SIR G. HEATHCOTE’s ch.c. Campunero (Perren); MR FORD’s b.c. Qui Tam (J. Robinson); MR J. OSBORNE’s ch.c. Mount Charles (Bumby); MR FORD’s ch.c. Phalaris (Whitehouse); LORD G. BENTINCK’s b.c. Croton Oil (W.Howlett); MR A.W. HILL’s b.c. Beaumont (G. Galloway); MR LICHTWALD’s b.c. Leander (Bell); MR GRATWICKE’s ch.c. Needful (W. Cotton); MR FORTH’s br.c. The Ashstead Pet (Boyce); MR HERBERT’s ch.c. (Elis – Delightful) (Sly); LORD GLASGOW’s b.c. (Velocipede – Amulet) (Hesseltine); MR GREGORY’s b.c. Loadstone (S. Darling); LORD WESTMINSTER’s bl.c. Lancet (S.Templeman); MR ST PAUL’s b.c. Telemachus (J. Marson); MR F. ONGLEY’s br.c. King of the Gipsies (Marlow); MR M. JONES’s br.g. British Tar (M. Jones); MR CUTHBERT’s b.c. Beaufront (J.Howlett); LORD MAIDSTONE’s b.c. Cockmaroo (Simpson); MR DIXON’s ch.c. Dick Thornton (Darling, Jun.); MR THORNHILL’s ch.c. Elemi (S. Chifney, Jun.); MR A.WOOD’s b.c. Running Rein (S. Mann), finished first but was later disqualified.

29 ran

Running Rein won by three-quarters of a length; nearly two lengths between Orlando and Ionian.

Winner bred by Owner and trained by Mr Cooper at Newmarket.

Betting: 5-2 The Ugly Buck; 3-1 Ratan; 10-1 Running Rein; 14-1 Leander; 15-1 Ionian; 20-1 Orlando, Akbar, Qui Tam and Bay Momus.

For more racing history see Michael’s Books for Sale.