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The Derby – Still the world’s greatest race?

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  • #21911
    Avatar photocormack15
    Keymaster
    • Total Posts 9344

    Well, is it?

    #406388
    Avatar photophil walker
    Participant
    • Total Posts 1374

    hmmmmmm no. I haven’t seen many of the today’s papers but the Daily Mail doesn’t mention the race on their first page, which I think they did for the Grand National. Despite all the controversy associated with that race its now more well known (liked?) than the Derby.

    #406396
    Avatar photoBachelors Hall
    Blocked
    • Total Posts 1667

    For 60 years, it hasn’t even been the greatest flat race in England.

    #406397
    Avatar photoGingertipster
    Participant
    • Total Posts 34704

    Well, is it?

    Certainly not this year.

    Value Is Everything
    #406402
    Eclipse First
    Member
    • Total Posts 1569

    Purely in terms of its influence on the progression of the thoroughbred,yes.

    #406404
    insomniac
    Participant
    • Total Posts 1453

    It rather depends on what you mean by great.
    If you mean great in that the best possible field is assembled and the winner will be the best middle-distance colt of his generation, then the answer will vary from year to year.
    If you mean great in that the race maintains an exceptional level of history, public interest and status (with prize money to match), then the answer’s more likely to still be a yes.
    In answer to your question though, one thing’s for sure – it certainly isn’t the St Leger. Now THAT is a classic that has diminished on all fronts in recent years.

    #406407
    Avatar photocormack15
    Keymaster
    • Total Posts 9344

    Interestingly enough, or otherwise, Paul Hanagan has twice been champion jockey but, at this munute, has never ridden in the Derby.

    There’s a question for the history gurus, when was the last time a jockey had won two championships without having ever ridden in a Derby?

    #406409
    Avatar photoGhost of Rob V
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    • Total Posts 1676

    It’s surely on the shortlist of the greatest races though I think the Arc holds more appeal nowadays.

    The Derby is a distinction when you see it on the ‘CV’ of great british racehorses. But then, at least one great horse of was robbed of this honour 26 years ago :(

    #406420
    Avatar photoGingertipster
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    Well, is it?

    Certainly not this year.

    Actually, although this year doesn’t look great on paper, the role call of even recent winners is still hard to beat.

    Value Is Everything
    #406430
    Avatar photoHimself
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    • Total Posts 3777

    Not for me. Still one of the greatest horse races in the world but for many decades now, I regard The Arc as THE race.

    Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning

    #406431
    Avatar photoMarkTT
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    • Total Posts 3084

    Gives the Grand National a run for the World’s Latest Race.

    Every bloody year. AND THERE’S ONLY 9 BLOODY RUNNERS THIS TIME !

    #406435
    Avatar photoMiss Woodford
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    • Total Posts 1704

    Neither the Derby nor the Arc are the world’s greatest race, since they do not allow geldings to run.

    #406443
    Avatar photoHimself
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    Neither the Derby nor the Arc are the world’s greatest race, since they do not allow geldings to run.

    What a total waste to the racing undustry it would be if Camelot had been gelded and then been allowed to run in ( and win ) The Derby. As it is, we will now ( hopefully ) see the progeny of this year’s great Derby winner compete in future Derbys and Arcs.

    Thank heavens we have the non gelding rule.

    Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning

    #406449
    andyod
    Member
    • Total Posts 4012

    Had Bonfire been gelded he might be a great racehorse.

    #406452
    Avatar photoAdmiralofthefleet
    Member
    • Total Posts 447

    Great pictures from from Epsom suggest turnout was good and people were having a great day out.

    #406455
    Avatar photoMiss Woodford
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    • Total Posts 1704

    Neither the Derby nor the Arc are the world’s greatest race, since they do not allow geldings to run.

    What a total waste to the racing undustry it would be if Camelot had been gelded and then been allowed to run in ( and win ) The Derby. As it is, we will now ( hopefully ) see the progeny of this year’s great Derby winner compete in future Derbys and Arcs.

    Thank heavens we have the non gelding rule.

    We don’t need more of Camelot’s bloodlines anyway. The European breeding industry is oversaturated with Sadler’s Wells, Kingmambo and Danehill. Camelot has all three. Sending all these Coolmore/Darley 3yo wonderponies to stud immediately (and giving them all the same old boring 5-race campaigns) isn’t helping the breed or the sport one bit. What we need at stud are true outcrosses without ANY Northern Dancer blood.

    #406462
    andyod
    Member
    • Total Posts 4012

    John Magnier must be a bit of a dummy not to realise that.The problem with bleeding rules out many US sires.Many of which ran on medication.Incidentally if nothing can beat the ND lines at Coolmore why change? Are the Godolfin producing horses to compete?First Frankel now this!

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