A derby ( , ) is a type of horse race named after the Derby Stakes run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in England. That was in turn named after Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, who inaugurated the race in 1780. Perhaps the best-known example after the original is the Kentucky Derby in the United States.
Traditionally, the term "derby" is used strictly to refer to races restricted to three-year-olds, as the English and U.S. Triple Crown races all are. The most notable exceptions to this rule are the Hong Kong Derby and Singapore Derby, restricted to four-year-old Thoroughbreds, and the Canadian Pacing Derby, an annual harness race for "aged pacers" (Standardbreds) four years old and up.
In Scandinavian harness racing the term derby is generally restricted to four-year-olds. An exception is the Finnhorse Derby, which is restricted to five-year-olds.
NamePlaceDistanceRestrictionsFirstraceDayNotesAmerican DerbyArlington Park, Arlington Heights, Illinois, USALocation has variedDistance has varied1884Only run once between 1905 and 1925.Australian Derby (also known as AJC Derby)Randwick Racecourse, Sydney3 yr olds1861Late March or early AprilBangalore DerbySun Kingdom wins Bangalore Derby Retrieved 2011-2-6Bangalore Turf Club2,000 metres4 yr olds & upMid JulyDanish Derby (Bet25 Derby, The Macallan Derby)Klampenborg Galopbane2400 metres3 yr olds19101st Saturday in AugustEpsom Derby (also known as The Derby, Derby Stakes and the English Derby)Epsom Downs Racecourse, England1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards()3 yr olds colts and fillies17801st Saturday in JuneBefore 1995, 1st Wednesday in JuneThe first and original Derby race.French Derby (more often known as Prix du Jockey Club)Chantilly Racecourse3 yr olds colts and fillies1836Early JuneGerman Derby (Deutsches Derby)Horner Rennbahn, Hamburg 3 yr olds colts and fillies 1869 Early JulyHong Kong DerbySha Tin Racecourse 2,000 metres 4 yr olds 1873 mid MarchHungarian Derby (Magyar Derby)Kincsem Park, Budapest 2,400 metres 3 yr olds 1921 Early JulyIndian DerbyMahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India2,400 metres4 yr olds19431st Sunday in Feb.Indonesia Derbyvarious2,000 metres3 yr olds above B-class height1974Late July to Early AugustItalian Derby (Derby Italiano)Capannelle Racecourse22001884Irish Derby The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland 3 yr olds 1866 Last Sunday in JuneCurrent race date. Dates have varied over time, but have always been in late June or early July. Kentucky Derby Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, USA 3 yr olds 1875 1st Saturday in May New Zealand DerbyEllerslie Racecourse, Auckland3yr olds18601st Saturday in MarchQueensland DerbyEagle Farm Racecourse, Brisbane3yr olds1868JuneRomanian Derby (Derby Român) Ploiești Hippodrome 2,400 metres 3 yr olds colts and fillies 1875 June Singapore Derby Kranji Racecourse 1,800 metres 4 yr olds 1880 Mid July Final one to be run in 2024Swedish Trotting Derby (Svenskt Travderby)Jägersro Racetrack, Malmö4yr olds19281st Sunday in September Tokyo DerbyOhi Racecourse2,000 metres3 yr olds colts and fillies1955Tokyo Yushun<br/ > Japanese Derby Tokyo Racecourse 2,400 metres 3 yr olds colts and fillies1932 late May or Early June Currently the richest Derby.Victoria Derby Flemington Racecourse 2,500 metres 3 yr olds1855WATC DerbyAscot Racecourse, Perth2,400 metres3yr olds1888New Years Day or nearby SaturdayNotes:
Other American Classic Races British Classic Races French Classic Races Thoroughbred horse racing Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
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