 Epsom Downs Racecourse logo |
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| Location | Epsom, Surrey, England |
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| Owned by | Jockey Club Racecourses |
| Screened on | Racing UK |
| Course type | Flat |
| Notable races | Epsom Derby Epsom Oaks Coronation Cup |
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 (2400m). It also hosts the Epsom Oaks for three-year-old fillies and the Coronation Cup for all ages over the same distance.
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[edit] History
The first recorded race was held on the Downs in 1661, and racing continued until the summer of 1779 when Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies. He named it the Oaks after his estate. The race became so successful that the following year a new race was added for colts and fillies. In 1784 the course was extended to its current distance of a mile and a half and Tattenham Corner was introduced.[1]
Henry Dorling, step-father to cookery writer Mrs Beeton, was the first Clerk to the Course, appointed in 1840.[2]
In 1913 the suffragette Emily Davison threw herself in front of King George V's horse Anmer, bringing him down. Davison was badly injured and died four days later.[3]
In 1952 the racecourse was featured extensively in the film Derby Day set around the 1952 Epsom Derby.[4]
In 2009 the racecourse opened the new Duchess's Stand. It has a capacity of 11,000 and has a 960m² (10 000 sq ft) hall. It can be used for banqueting, conferences and exhibitions. The estimated cost of the new stand, which was built by Willmott Dixon, was £23.5 million.[5]
On 4 June 2011, in their first public outing since returning from their Seychelles honeymoon, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (along with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, William's brother, Prince Harry of Wales, and Catherine's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton) attended the 2011 Epsom Derby at the track. William, Catherine, and Harry were supporting the Queen's horse, Carlton House, a favourite to win who was ultimately placed third. James and Carole had supported the horse in fourth place.[6]
[edit] Description
The racecourse is between Epsom, Tadworth, and Langley Vale. As it is in a public area, people can watch the Derby for free, and this meant that the Derby used to be the most attended sporting event of the year. However it is now becoming increasingly difficult to do this, and almost impossible to get a good view for free.
Epsom presents a stern challenge for inexperienced horses and a true test of stamina for those that might previously have contested the 2,000 Guineas Stakes over a mile (1600m).
The area is served by the Epsom Downs railway line as well as Tattenham Corner railway station which is where Queen Elizabeth II alights from the British Royal Train on race days.
Epsom Downs Grandstand was also used as St. Petersburg Airport during the filming of the James Bond film, GoldenEye.
Epsom Downs houses the third largest racehorse training facility in the country. The facility is managed by the Epsom trainers society. There are 11 trainers who use the facility, including Simon Dow and Laura Mongan (the only female trainer at Epsom).
[edit] Notable races
- Diomed Stakes
- Coronation Cup
- The Oaks
- Surrey Stakes
- Woodcote Stakes
- Princess Elizabeth Stakes
- Epsom Dash
- The Derby
- Investec Derby Trial
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Epsom Grandstand in the 1830s
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Epsom Grandstand in 1846
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The 5 furlong marker
[edit] References
- ^ Epsom Downs History
- ^ Beetham, Margaret (2004). "Beeton, Isabella Mary (1836–1865)" (available online through UK public libraries, also in printed form). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
- ^ Emily Davison (1872 - 1913) BBC History
- ^ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000
- ^ 'Freak' winds blamed for ripped roof at Epsom Downs racecourse The Guardian, 10 January 2012
- ^ Prince William, Kate Middleton Wow Royal-Watchers at British Horse Race Popeater, 4 June 2011
[edit] External links
Coordinates: 51°18′35″N 0°15′20″W / 51.30972°N 0.25556°W
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