Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby is the original Derby, first raced in 1779, although races were first run at the site in 1661.

Digital Ink rebuilt the Epsom Downs Race Course site at www.epsomdowns.co.uk in February 2007, so this was our first Derby as the encumbent web-geeks. There are a lot of XML feeds providing details on runners and riders that had to be set up before the Derby Festival got underway on the 1st of June with Ladies Day. We also had to use XML feeds for the race results.

There is a reduced race calendar this year at Epsom, as a new grandstand is being built. Epsom host conferences, banqueting and parties all year round in the Famous Queen's Stand.

Our downstairs neighbours, advertising agency Quick Thinking had a very good Derby, they had a box... They are also the advertising agency for Epsom Downs.

The picture shows the winning jockey Frankie Dettori riding Authorized. It was Dettori's first Derby win after many attempts so he was over the moon.

The title of the race was decided after the Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury, a leading racing figure of the day and friend of the Earl's, flipped a coin. So begun the inaugural running of the 'Derby' won, incidentally, by Sir Charles Bunbury's horse Diomed. So a different toss of the coin could have meant the race would have been called the "Bunbury"!