Derby Day

Derby Day is the second day, the Wednesday, of the Summer Meeting which takes place at Epsom in Surrey, usually towards the end of May, but sometimes early in June. Upon this day, the most important on the list, and that on which the best horses run, the famous Derby stakes, instituted by the Earl of Derby in 1780, are contended for. When the first Derby was run for, there were only 36 subscribers at 50 guineas each (with 25 guineas forfeit in case of non-starters); and for the first half-century the subscribers never numbered 90; but after 1830 there was a rapid increase, and in 1879 (which completed the century) there were 278 subscribers, and the value of the stakes exceeded £7000. Subsequently the numbers diminished till, in 1888, there were only 158 subscribers, and no more than nine horses ran, while the value of the stakes was £3675. In order to increase the competitors in future, the conditions of the race were then altered. Since 1825 (when the subscription was changed from guineas to sovereigns) the fee has been £50 each, with £25 forfeit in case of non-starters; and the value of the stakes has varied with the number of subscribers. Under the new regulations (coming into operation with the Derby of 1890) there is a fixed prize of not less than £5000 for the winner, and smaller prizes for second and third; and any surplus from the entrance fees will also go to the winner. The full subscription is still £50, but there are two forfeits—viz. £10 only if the declaration of forfeit is made about eighteen months prior to the race, or £25 if made about six months before the race. The entries are made about two years before the race, when the animals are yearlings. The alteration of conditions proved attractive to racehorse owners, as the entries for the Derby of 1890 rose to 238. The Derby Day is a great English holiday. To be present at Epsom on that occasion London empties itself, and proceeds to the Downs by modes of locomotion the most heterogeneous. For hours a continuous stream of carriages, gigs, dog-carts, vans, and vehicles of every description moves tumultuously along the road to Epsom. The benches of parliament are deserted; people of every condition come in countless numbers from all districts, and huge trains arrive every few minutes at the station, bringing their thousands, until the entire Downs are covered with a vast moving mass. At the Derby in 1861, the course, which is a mile and a half in length, was gone over in 2 minutes 43 seconds—the swiftest running, by 2 seconds, ever known on that course up to that time. In 1864 the race was run in the same time, although the horses carried 3 lb. more weight than before. In 1887 and again in 1888 the race was run in 2 minutes 43 seconds, although 4 lb. more had been added to the weight. When the Derby was first instituted the weights were 8 stone for colts, and 7 stone 11 lb. for fillies; but they have been raised several times, until now colts have to carry 9 st. and fillies 8 st. 9 lb. It was run in 1896 in 2 minutes 42 seconds.