Episode 1 of 2
Origins after the 1779 Oaks
- When
- 1779
- Where
- celebration following the first Oaks Stakes
- Part of
- First Epsom Derby
The Derby was conceived at a celebration following the first running of the Oaks Stakes in 1779.
The Derby Stakes originated at a celebration held after the first running of the Oaks Stakes in 1779. At that gathering a new race was planned, with the choice of name falling between the host, the 12th Earl of Derby, and his guest Sir Charles Bunbury. The Bunbury Cup run at Newmarket would later be named in Bunbury's honour.
Sources
- Epsom Derby Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-03
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.