1000+ images about Sport of Kings - UK and Ireland on Pinterest | Epsom derby, Thoroughbred and Horse racing Forward Oh So Sharp - Doncaster 1990 Oh So Sharp (foaled 1982 in Ireland, died 2001) was a successful racehorse trained in Great Britain by Henry Cecil. She ended her racing days with a hard-won defeat of Phardante in the St. Leger Stakes to complete the fillies' version of the Triple Crown. See more Horses of the world ... Turf ... DERBY AT EPSOM ... ▲ Epsom Downs experienced its first race meeting in 1661 and the tradition continued until 1779 when the one of today’s greatest racing events was established. Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies over one and a half miles. He named it the Oaks. The Epsom Derby was created as an equivalent to the Oaks, whose field is made up only of fillies, and while the Derby is almost exclusively contested by colts, fillies are not excluded.

The inaugural running of the ‘Derby’ was won by Sir Charles Bunbury’s horse Diomed. The contest was held over a mile with the starting point in a straight line beyond the current five-furlong marker. Tattenham Corner was not introduced until 1784 when the course was extended to its current distance of a mile- and-a-half. Even during both world wars the event continued to be staged. Over the years, the great racehorse owners and the best jockeys have achieved success and fame at Epsom Downs. An example of such success is the current Aga Khan who celebrated his fourth victory in 2000 with his 3-year old colt, Sinndar. The Aga Khan’s first Derby win goes back to Shergar whose performance at Epsom Downs was acknowledged by many as the greatest performance of the 20th century.

Lester Piggott dominated The Derby whilst he was riding (nine victories to his name; his first Epsom Derby success came aboard Never Say Die in 1954 and the last 29 years later, on Teenoso) but there have been many great jockeys who found victory at Epsom Downs hard to come by. Sir Gordon Richards, champion jockey 26 times between 1920 and 1954, had to wait until 1953 and the twilight of his career before he won on Pinza. Today’s generation of jockeys; Kevin Darley, George Duffield, Richard Hills, Richard Quinn, and Michael Roberts join Frankie Dettori in seeking that elusive Derby win. The Vodafone Derby remains the race that not only top jockeys, but also owners, trainers and breeders most want to win. The Vodafone Epsom Derby offers a unique challenge to those trainers and jockeys and creates true champions. This is why it is regarded as The Blue Riband of the Turf. THE BEST SIX AT EPSOM Sea Bird II (1965) Bred and trained in France, raced only once in Britain.

The winning margin was a mere two lengths but the manner in which he demolished the best of the home team stamped him as an exceptional horse. His reputation was further enhanced when he trounced a vintage line-up for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe later in the year. After that he retired to stud in America as the winner of seven races out of eight - and as one of the greatest racehorses in history. Nijinsky (1970) Trained by Vincent O'Brien, he won all five of his races as a two-year-old and did not let his supporters down in the Derby, recording a stylish victory under the famous Lester Piggott. He landed the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and went on to complete the Triple Crown (2000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger). He ended his career with two defeats but they could not disguise the glory of his achievements earlier in the year. Piggott paid him this tribute: "Nijinsky possessed more natural ability than any horse I ever rode". Mill Reef (1971) Mill Reef and the equally-brilliant Brigadier Gerard made 1971 a golden year for racing.

Both were outstanding champions in their own right and they remain two of the all-time greats. The "Brigadier" came out on top in the 2000 Guineas but he did not run at Epsom, leaving Mill Reef to make his own indelible mark in the history books. The better of the pair over the Derby distance of a mile-and-a-half, Mill Reef later added the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Paris to his impressive portfolio. Shergar (1981) Shergar is perhaps even better known these days for his unsolved disappearance than he is for his breathtaking display at Epsom, where he scored by an unprecedented 10 lengths. After going on to land the Irish Derby and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, he was sensationally beaten in the St Leger and subsequently retired. After spending just one season at the Aga Khan's stud in Ireland, he vanished during the night in February 1983 and was never seen again.

Reference Point (1987) A tough, no-nonsense type, this horse is often overlooked in lists of the best recent Derby winners. But his record undoubtedly exceeds most of them. He was ridden to victory at Epsom by a talented American, Steve Cauthen. Known as the "Kentucky Kid", Cauthen made an immense impact on the racing scene during his successful spell in Britain. Reference Point himself went on to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and the St Leger. His style of racing was more workmanlike than spectacular but during the course of his career he repeatedly proved to be a very tough nut to crack. Nashwan (1989) One of jockey Willie Carson's four Derby winners, Nashwan was the last horse to complete the 2000 Guineas-Derby double. It is a feat that Golan attempt to duplicate but with no luck in 2001. Many others have tried and failed. A magnificent athlete, Nashwan deserves a place among the elite for his versatility. He possessed enough speed to win over a mile in the Newmarket Classic and the stamina to cope with an extra four furlongs at Epsom.

References: Horse Racing Events: World Biggest Horse Racing Events - Hityah.com ﻿ Horse Racing Events Horse racing dates back as far as horses were first ridden by men. It was a celebrated event in ancient civilizations, such as Greece, Syria, Egypt and Babylon. Today, horse racing is one of the most prestigious and popular events. A single race can attract thousands of people on the stands, and millions more watching at home. So indulge in this long-standing tradition, and place your wagers at these legendary horse races around the globe! Top 10 Largest Horse Race Purses Every single horse race – whether it’s big or small – has a purse. A race purse refers to the amount of money that the owners will get paid at the end of each event. The division of the amount is usually based on how their horses finish. The horse finishing in first place will typically get 60% of the total purse. The second place horse gets 20%, and the third place horse usually gets 10%, while the fourth gets 5%. The remaining horses divide the remainder of the purse among each other. When it comes to the most prestigious horse races, the race purse can amount to millions of dollars.

Here are the top ten races with the greatest race purses. These ten major racing events– and other important horse races – will be discussed further below. Dubai World Cup – US$ 10 Million Purse Melbourne Cup – US$ 5.65 Million Purse Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – US$ 5.4 Million Purse Breeders Cup Classic – US$ 5 Million Purse Dubai Duty Free Stakes – US$ 5 Million Purse Breeders Cup Turf – US$ 3 Million Purse Breeders Cup Distaff – US$ 2 Million Purse Breeders Cup Sprint – US$ 2 Million Purse Kentucky Derby – US$ 2 Million Purse The Grand National – US$ 1.6 Million Purse Major American Horse Races There are three horse races in the United States that are particularly famous. These are the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes. These three races are held annually, and make up the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. Winning all three of these races is one of the greatest possible achievements for any Thoroughbred racehorse.

Another famous race in the US is the Breeders’ Cup, one of the richest in the world. Kentucky Derby (Louisville, Kentucky) The first leg of the US Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing is the Kentucky Derby. Every year in May, more than 150,000 go to the Churchill Downs to watch this celebrated event. The Kentucky Derby has been annually held since 1875. The race has a distance of a 1 to 1.25 miles, and lasts no more than two minutes. Because of this, it is often referred to as the “Greatest 2 Minutes in Sports”. Once a horse crosses the finish line, this grand winner is draped in an elaborate garland made up of hundreds of red roses! The Preakness Stakes (Baltimore, Maryland) The second leg of the US Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes, which also takes place in the month of May – just a week after the Kentucky Derby. The race takes place at the Pimlico Racecourse.

Instead of a garland of roses, the winner in this race is presented a silver trophy (specifically crafted by Tiffany) and a blanket made of Black-Eyed Susans (Maryland’s state flower). Belmont Stakes (Elmont, New York) After the first two races, the last leg of the Triple Crown is the Belmont Stakes, annually held in the month of June. The Belmont Stakes is the oldest of the three races, dating back to 1867. This is the longest and most challenging race, at 1 to 1.5 miles around the track. Secretariat is the most famous horse associated with the Triple Crown. He earned his reputation as one of the best racehorses in history when he finished the 1973 Belmont Stakes with a world record speed of 31 lengths ahead of his competition. Breeders Cup World Championships The Breeders Cup World Championships is an annual series of thoroughbred horse races that make up the Breeders' Cup. This event lasts for two days, and is one of the greatest purses in horse racing. The Breeders Cup Sprint is a short race that is less than a mile long.

The Breeders Cup Distaff (which was formerly called the Breeders Cup Ladies’ Classic) is a race for mares and fillies who are at least three-years-old. The Breeders Cup Distaff is one of the most prominent races in the world among female horses. The Breeders Cup Turf is a US$3 million race that is held on a turf, instead of the usual dirt track. This means that the horses compete on a grass surface. The track is 1.5 miles long. The main event of the series is the Breeders Cup Classic. It is extremely exclusive, since five of the fourteen slots in this race is guaranteed to the winners of other popular races, including the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Pacific Classic, and Awesome Again Stakes. Major Horse Races in the UK and Ireland Horse racing is a sport that is celebrated all over the world, but there’s nothing quite like racing in UK and Ireland. There are thousands of races that take place in the UK and Ireland every year. There are a handful of these races that attract an especially high level of attention, and some of these are more than 200 years old.

The Grand National The Grand National is the most important National Hunt race in the UK, and is the most valuable jump race in Europe. It was first held in 1839 and is now annually held at Aintree in Liverpool. The Grand National attracts huge audiences in countries all over the globe. The race is around four miles and three furlongs in length. It can take around ten minutes for some horses to finish. It’s a long and challenging course involving hurdles that are larger than regular fences. The British Classics There are five prestigious flat races in the UK that are collectively called “The British Classics”. Race horses only have one chance in their lifetime to compete at the Classics, because all five races are restricted to three-year-olds only. Here are the five races of The British Classics: 2,000 Guineas Stakes 1,000 Guineas Stakes Epsom Oaks The 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom Derby and the St. Leger Stakes make up the English Triple Crown. The English Triple Crown is a great feat for any horse, and it has not been won since the 1970s.

The 2,000 Guineas Stakes has a history that goes back more than 200 years. It is annually run in late April or early May, not long after the flat season has started. The St. Leger Stakes is one of the oldest horse races in the world, and it takes place annually at the Doncaster Racecourse in England. Irish Triple Crown Just like the English Triple Crown, the Irish Triple Crown is made up of three races: the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Irish Derby, and the Irish St. Leger. These three races have large prize pools. All of the three races are run in the Curragh Racecourse in County Kildare. Only two horses have won the Irish Triple Crown. The last one won back in 1945. Irish Grand National The Irish Grand National began in 1870, and takes place annually at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Easter Monday. In this competition, horses run over a distance of three miles and five furlongs, with a total of 24 fences. Major Horse Races in Australia Australia holds a number of huge horse races every year.

The most popular one is the Melbourne Cup, which is called the “race that stops a nation” in Australia. The Melbourne Cup receives international attention, and has one of the biggest prize pool in Thoroughbred Racing. Other important races are the Australian Derby and the Australian Cup. Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup is a tradition that dates back to 1861. It is widely considered as the greatest 3,200-meter horse race in the world. If you are going for the first time, you will see that the attendees usually come in customary hats. There is even a competition called “Fashions on the Field”, which celebrates the best-dressed men and women, with celebrity judges and high-end sponsors. According to the horse racing events calendar, the big event is held on the first Tuesday in November, and the other races are spread out over the week. Other Major Horse Races in the World Dubai World Cup Night Dubai World Cup Night was first launched in 1996, and hosts the richest race purse in world wide horse racing events. The Dubai World Cup – the main event of the series – holds a first place prize of US$10 million. Another popular race in the series is the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.

The name comes from its sponsor, Dubai Duty Free. All of the races in Dubai World Cup Night have a combined purse total of US$27.25 million. You can watch the races from the swanky grandstand, or in one of the rooms at the track-side hotel. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, commonly known as the Arc, is one of Europe’s biggest events held at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. Thousands of elegant spectators fill the grandstand of the racecourse on the first Sunday of October. It has been held almost every year since 1920. Today, it has one of the biggest race purses in the world, thanks to the sponsorship of Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club. You can go to the racecourse early to enjoy the champagne and live jazz music. There are also pony rides available for kids to enjoy. The English Classic Races | UK Flat Horse Racing Guide | HorseRacing.co.uk Want your site listed here? Contact Us . Classic Races British flat racing - meaning the races are run on 'the flat', without jumps - are the most traditional form of horse racing.

The Classics, or Classic Races, are a series of five flat races, held annually and restricted to horses which are three years of age. The five races, which are subdivided into two separate competitions, the Triple Crown and the Fillies' Triple crown, are held at three different race courses; Newmarket , Epsom Downs and Doncaster . The Classic Races are so popular that bookmakers all across the UK offer year-round antepost betting on the events; allowing punting professionals to benefit from excellent early odds. The five Classic Races in the United Kingdom are: 2,000 Guineas Stakes This race is held at the famous Newmarket Racecourse , on the Rowley Mile, in late April or early May, and is run over a distance of one mile. The 2,000 Guineas Stakes was first held on 18th April 1809. It is open to fillies and colts, female and male three-year-olds, and is the first race of the Classics season. The 2,000 Guineas Stakes is also part of the Triple Crown, a separate cup comprised of the three classic races which allow horses of either sex to enter.

1,000 Guineas Stakes The second race of the Classics also takes place at Newmarket 's Rowley Mile at the same time as the 2,000 Guineas Stakes (late April or early March). The 1,000 Guineas Stakes was first introduced on 28th April 1814, five years after the 2,000 Guineas Stakes was established. It is open to fillies only, female horses of three years, which makes it part of the Fillies' Triple Crown, the fillies-only version of the Triple Crown mentioned above. As the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, it is run over the course of one mile. Epsom Oaks The race, conducted at Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey, is the third of the Classics races, as well as the second event in the Fillies' Triple Crown. Like the 1,000 Guineas Stakes it is a contest for female three-year-olds only. The Epsom Oaks race was established in 1779, one year before the Derby Stakes premiered.

It takes its name from 'The Oaks' a home rented by the 12th Earl of Derby in the Epsom area. The race takes place over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards. Epsom Derby Also known as simply The Derby to locals and as the Epsom Derby to the international audience, is the fourth race of the Classics series. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards - as the Epsom Oaks -; a meeting taking place annually in early June. As it is open to colts and fillies, it is also the second leg of the Triple Crown. The very first Epsom Derby was held on 4th May 1780, with Diomed, a colt from the stables of Lord Bunbury taking first place. St. Leger Stakes The last race of the Classics, the Triple Crown and- strangely - the Fillies' Triple Crown is hosted at Doncaster , and run over a distance of one mile, six furlongs and 132 yards every September.

The St Leger Stakes is the longest of the Classic races and was introduced in 1777, named in honour of local army officer and politician Anthony St. Leger. Georgian Index - Horse Races and courses Races and Courses in Britain The first horse races on established English race courses were match races between two horses run over a course of four or five miles until a horse had won twice. When the new Thoroughbred races became established, multi-day meets, breeders and bookmakers added other sporting activities to take advantage of the crowds. Cockfighting was one of many sporting events often taking place at race meets. As the atmosphere became more hectic those connected with horse racing found themselves in the position of competing for the attention of fans with the now numerous peripheral activities. A race with a large number of horses and shorter races allowing for more races per day kept the racing fan excited and offered a better investment return for breeders. Races became dashes of a mile-and-a-half, measured in eighths of a mile called furlongs, for a number of horses.

Five races came to make up the English Classic Flat racing season: the Derby and Oaks, (both at Epsom Downs); the 2000 guineas, and the 1000 guineas (both at Newmarket), and the St. Leger. Races were mainly regional competitions because race horse's had to be walked between venues with care so that they did not arrive exhausted. The journey between Newmarket and Epsom was typically five to seven days and up to three weeks between Goodwood and Doncaster. It wasn't until 1836 that John Doe came up with the idea of having coach horses pull the race horse Elis to a distant meet in a van. Epsom Downs; The Oaks and The Derby There were annual races at Epsom Downs by 1730.

The course at Epsom is a dog-leg that is "all up and down with sharp corners." Sir Charles Bunbury (1740-1821), 6th Baronet of Barton, and Edward Smith Stanley (1752-1834), the Twelfth Earl of Derby, had the idea of a single race over a mile and a half for three-year-old fillies. Derby won the first running of the Oaks with Bridget on a Friday in May of 1779. The all-fillies race took it's name from Derby's home near Epsom, a former ale house, known as the Oaks. At a party after the running of the Oaks, a race open to colts was conceived. Lord Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury allowed the legendary coin toss to decided who should have the hon our of naming it. Lord Derby called the toss. On Thursday May 4, 1780 nine colts lined up to compete in the first running of the Derby. Bunbury won the first race with Diomed. The first four races were run over a course of a dog-leg mile and carried a first prize of 1,075 Guineas.

Later the Derby course was lengthened to the same mile-and-a-half or twelve furlongs as The Oaks. Newmarket Races The first recorded race at Newmarket took place in 1622. It was a match race between a horse belonging to Lord Salisbury and a horse of the Marquis of Buckingham. Buckingham's horse won the prize of the then enormous sum of �100. It was the ardent racing fan King Charles II who made Newmarket truly fashionable and horse racing "The Sport of Kings". Charles II employed gentleman-architect William Samwell to build a two-story brick pavilion for him at Newmarket. Work began late in 1668 and were completed in 1671. He moved his entire court there from London for the spring and fall races. Prior to 1753 there were 2 races per year, of 6-8 miles in Spring and in October. From 1753 there were 7 meetings a year run over the 4 mile Beacon Course. Lord Bath wrote a description of racing on Newmarket Heath that appeared in The World Vol. 1, No.

17, in 1753: "When the horses are in sight, and come near Choak Jade, immediately the company all disperse, as if the Devil rose out of his Ditch and drove them, to get to the turning of the lands, or some other station for seeing the push made. Now the contention becomes animating: 'tis delightful to see two, or sometimes more, of the most beautiful animals of the creation, struggling for superiority, stretching every muscle and sinew to obtain the prize and reach the goal! to observe the skill and address of the riders, who are all distinguished by different colours of white, blue, green, red or yellow, sometimes spurring or whipping, sometimes checking or pulling, to give fresh breath and courage! And it is often observed that the race is won as much by the dexterity of the rider, as by the vigour and fleetness of the animal." The Duke of Portland and Lord Lowther greatly improved Newmarket during the Regency period by eliminating old road tracks, using grazing sheep and burning to improve the smoothness of the turf, and manuring to produce a lush cover.

The Craven, after Earl Craven, Easter Monday since 1771 The First Spring, Monday, a fortnight following. Second Spring, fortnight following est. 1753 2000 Guineas, May since 1809 1000 Guineas in May Run the day after the 2000 Guineas (always later in the month than the Oaks), est. 1814 First October, first Monday in Oct. Second October, Monday fortnight following, est 1762 Third Oct. or Houghton, fortnight following, inst 1770, lasts one week and ending the season. At Newmarket the Judges box is on wheels to be moved from finish to finish post (only at Newmarket).They proclaim winners by color. The course has been the property of the Jockey club since 1753. Betting posts were at various places on the grounds, for the 1/2 hour period between races. Winnings were paid the following morning in the town. The St. Leger The St Leger is the world's oldest Thoroughbred race.

It is the fifth and final Classic of the British Flat racing season. The St Leger held at Doncaster in September is a four-day meeting. Run over two miles, a longer distance than the Derby and the Oaks, the St Leger is more a test of stamina than speed. Racing at Doncaster in York predates the St. Leger. The Doncaster Cup has been run since 1766. Men knew the open Heath at Newmarket was a great place for driving and riding horses before the Roman's arrived. A group of sportsmen arranged a new sweepstakes race for 3 year olds over a 2 mile course at Cantley Common near Doncaster on September 24, 1776. Early in 1778 at a dinner held at the Red Lion in Doncaster for the race subscribers, Lord Rockingham suggested the race be named for the popular Colonel Anthony St. Leger of Park Hill, near Doncaster. It was run for the first time with the name St Leger in 1778. That year it was moved to the Town Moor. In 1803 the King's Plate from the defunct Burford Meeting was transfered to the St. Leger.

Architect John Carr (1723-1807) built a new grandstand in 1806. For the the first 30 years of the 19th Century the St. Leger was the most successful of the race meetings. In 1813 the racing distance was reduced to 1 mile 6 furlongs 193 yards. From 1814 it was run on the St. Leger Course. The St. Leger course was a broad straight 'galloping' track. The race has had problems and controversy. The 1819 race was run twice. There was a chase to distant betting towns when the favorite was pulled up in training. Antonio won, but the local stewards ordered a second running in which Antonio did not compete. The Jockey Club overruled the stewards and returned the title. In 1829 there was such an invasion of roughnecks and cheats that they had to be chased out of town. Ascot While Queen Anne was riding on the edge of Windsor Great Park in 1711, she noticed a natural clearing near the village of East Cote.

Queen Anne ordered her Master of the Buckhounds, The Duke of Somerset, to lay out a course 'for horses to gallop at full stretch'. The Royal Racecourse was Ascot. The original course was designed by the Duke and constructed at a cost of some 606 pounds, 17 shillings and 1 pence. The first day's racing was held on Saturday 11th August 1711 and the second on Monday 13th August when horses competed for The Queen's Plate worth �100. In 1714 racing was cancelled following the death of Queen Anne. Subsequently there was only one more day's racing before the course was closed. The Duke of Cumberland took up residence in one of the Lodges in Windsor Great Park and began breeding race horses at Cranbourne Lodge . He revived Ascot. The first four-day meeting was held in late June 1768, and has continued to the present day. George IV began the Royal Procession in 1825.

Goodwood The Goodwood racecourse, called the "most beautiful racecourse in the world", is northeast of Chichester in West Sussex on the Goodwood estate, ancestral home of the Dukes of Richmond. The Goodwood Cup Races are held starting on the last Tuesday of July, and lasting four days. The principal race is Thursday, called the "Cup Day." The course was created by Charles Lennox (1735-1806) the 3rd Duke of Richmond on a part of the estate called Charlton Downs. The first race, in 1801, was organized for the officers of the Sussex militia, of which the 3rd Duke was a Colonel, and for members of the Goodwood Hunt. It was such a success that the race was expanded and made open to the public for the second race held on April 28, 1802. The Goodwood course was further improved by Charles Gordon-Lennox (1791-1860) 5th Duke of Richmond. The Goodwood was patronized by the Prince of Wales after he left Newmarket in a huff over the Escape affair in 1791.

Fleur-de-lis a mare owned by the Prince of Wales placed first at Goodwood, followed by two more of his horses at 2nd and 3rd, in a single race. The Jockey Club Rowlandson lampoons the members of the Jockey Club in circa 1790. The print portrays: Prince of Wales (at Center), Duke of York, Duke of Bedford, Duke of Bolton, Duke of Devonshire, Duke of Grafton, Duke of Norfolk, Duke of Queensbury, and Duke of St. Albans; Lord Barrymore, Lord Clermont, Lord Egremont, Lord Foley, Lord Grosvenor, and Lord Ossory; Sir Charles Bunbury, Sir John Lade, Mr. Fox, Mr. Panton, Mr. Vernon, and Mr. Wastell. In 1750 a group of powerful men interested in horse racing met at the Star and Garter Tavern in Pall Mall where they formed the Jockey Club . In 1752 the Club acquired land at Newmarket for a Coffee Room. In 1757 a dispute at Curragh was referred to the Jockey Club in Newmarket.

In 1758 the club drew up rules published by Heber. In 1762 the 19 member Jockey Club wrote complete rules of racing and sanctioned racecourses to conduct meetings under those rules. Standards were set defining the quality of races. A registry of colors for each racehorse owner in order to distinguish runners among a field of horses was established following a resolution of the Stewards of the Jockey Club dated October 4th 1762. Eighteen owners shared seventeen sets of colors in the first list published in the Racing Calendar. Since 1814, five races for three-year-old horses have been designated as "classics." Three of these races, open to colts and fillies, make up the English Triple Crown: the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, and the St. Leger Stakes. The other two races, open to fillies only, are the 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks.

As Senior Steward of the Jockey Club, it was Sir Charles Bunbury who banned the jockey Sam Chifney for life after the suspect performances of a horse called Escape, owned by the Prince of Wales, in a race with Gray Diomed in 1791. On 20th October 1791 the Prince of Wales' horse Escape ridden by Sam Chifney was badly beaten at Newmarket, only to run again the next day and win easily at 5-1 against. There was an enquiry. The Prince of Wales gave Chifney �200 after he was banned. Bunbury was so disillusioned that he sold almost all of his horses and did not attend a race meeting for 14 years. The Jockey Club assigned James Weatherby , the club accountant, to trace the pedigree, of every horse then racing in England. Consolidation of a number of privately-kept pedigree records added to his own research resulted in a document published in 1791 as the "Introduction to the General Stud Book" .

The book listed the pedigrees of 387 mares, each of which could be traced back to Eclipse, a direct descendent of the Darley Arabian; Matchem, a grandson of the Godolphin Arabian; and Herod, whose great-great grandsire was the Byerly Turk. From 1793 to the present, members of the Weatherby family have meticulously recorded the pedigree of every foal born to those racehorses in subsequent volumes of the "General Stud Book". "Dictators of the Turf" 1st "Dictator of the Turf"--Charles II laid down Racing Rules and made himself Adjudicator and Court of Appeal.

2nd "Dictator of the Turf"--Tregonwell Frampton appointed Racing Manager by Charles II Influential Stewards Lord George Bentinck (1802-1848)--4th "Racing Dictator of the Turf," Admiral Henry John Rous (1795-1877)--steward from 1838, public handicapper from 1855, wrote The Laws and Practice of Horse Racing Officials The Jockey club laid down the rules for horse racing and created offices to carry out the rules. Much of the race day pomp was added by the Prince of Wales during his tenure in the Jockey Club. Buglers and outriders appareled in uniforms and the bugle call all add to the pageantry. The Clerk of Scales weighs out jockeys prior to every race and checks that correct weight, colors and number are carried. After the race he again weighs in jockeys to ensure correct weight was carried. The Bugler The bugler sounds the familiar "first call" based on the calvary "boots and saddle" bugle call as the horses step onto the track before each race.

The Judges The legend that is Camelot eyes Triple Crown glory - CNN.com The legend that is Camelot eyes Triple Crown glory By Alysen Miller, CNN Updated 9:17 AM ET, Fri September 14, 2012 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds. Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Hat-trick for Camelot? – Camelot, the horse with the mythical name, has so far lived up to his billing, winning the Epsom Derby and 2,000 Guineas. Will he win a fairytale Triple Crown at the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday? Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Not your average Joe – Jockey Jospeh O'Brien rode the three-year-old colt to victory at the Epsom Derby. The 19-year-old Irishman has ridden Camelot in all of his starts and will play a decisive role masterminding Saturday's race. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again?

It's a family affair – Jospeh's father and trainer Aiden O'Brien, pictured, has admitted Camelot's bid to become the first horse since Nijinsky to win the Triple Crown will be a push for the colt. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? History lesson – Team Ballydoyle inspect the track at Melbourne Cup's Flemington Racecourse. The Ballydoyle stables in Ireland were also home to Nijinksy -- the last Triple Crown winner. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? A royal occasion – The British Royal Family watch Camelot storm to victory at the Epsom Derby. The Queen's horse, Carlton House, had been the bookmakers favorite to win, but came third. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Irish eyes smiling – The Ballydole operation has made a clean sweep of the English Classics this season -- the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and their fillies' equivalents the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again?

Like father, like son – Father Aiden says the tactics of the race will be left to jockey son Joseph, adding: "I presume he'll take his time on him, he usually does. That's the way he rides every race, he rides it by feel and takes it as it comes." Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Nijinsky's legacy – The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Nijinsky in 1970, seen here being led at Ascot by a different O'Brien -- legendary trainer Vincent. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Black and white Bahram – Bahram won the Triple Crown 35 years before Nijinksy. Nowadays, very few horses even attempt the Triple Crown due to the extreme versatility required to win races ranging from one mile to one-and-three-quarter miles.

Hide Caption 9 of 9 Story highlights Camelot aiming for triple crown at St Leger Stakes, winning the Epsom Derby and 2,000 Guineas Trainer Aiden O'Brien admits it will be a big stretch for the three-year-old colt His jockey son Joseph will be masterminding the race, already racing Camelot in all of his starts The last horse to win hat trick was Nijinsky in 1970, also trained at Ballydoyle stables Camelot is real. The name synonymous with King Arthur's mythical kingdom of round tables, opulence and heroism has arrived. But hold your horses. This 'Camelot' is no fantastical castle in a medieval woodland. This is a three-year-old colt with designs on a very different fairytale crown. Trainer Aiden O'Brien is not normally prone to lack of self-belief.

Yet even the taciturn Irishman admits that the bid by his star colt Camelot to become the first horse since Nijinsky to win the Triple Crown -- the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger Stakes -- is "pushing the boat out." The horse with the mythical name has so far lived up to his billing, having swept aside all comers in a fairytale three-year-old campaign that has already seen him capture the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby, scooping up the Irish Derby on the way. JUST WATCHED 4 of 5 Photos: Black Caviar arrives in England Perfect 21st – Trainer Peter Moody is congratulated after Black Caviar won her 21st consecutive race at Morphettville in Adelaide on May 12. Hide Caption 5 of 5 But in Doncaster he will face the biggest test of his career when he steps up to the one-and-three-quarter mile distance for the first time. "It will really expose the horse," O'Brien admits.

"We know he has speed and stamina and courage but this is asking for that extra stamina." If Camelot can handle the extra distance he will join an elite group of just 15 horses who have claimed the world's oldest continuous sporting competition. The last of those, Nijinsky, was back in 1970. His predecessor, Bahram, won his treble 35 years before that. Nowadays, very few horses even attempt the hat-trick -- the extreme versatility required to win races ranging from a mile to one-and-three-quarter miles is simply beyond the repertoire of most three-year-olds. "Very few have the capacity to do it," agrees O'Brien. "For a horse to win the Guineas over a mile and then go to the Derby, if you get the Derby trip [1½ miles] you're very lucky.

Now we're asking him to go that little bit further." A victory in the St Leger would be the crowning glory of a sensational season for O'Brien, which has seen his Ballydoyle operation make a clean sweep of all the English Classics so far -- the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and their fillies' equivalents, the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. Read: Germany's wonder mare Danedream prepares for final challenges Tucked away behind wrought-iron gates in a quiet corner of Ireland, on a misty morning Ballydoyle captures something of the air of the original Camelot legend -- King Arthur's symbolic seat and emblem of the Arthurian world. If Aiden O'Brien represents King Arthur, then his son, 19-year-old Joseph, is the trusty Galahad. He has ridden the colt in all of his starts to date and will play a decisive role in masterminding his race on Sunday. It's a working relationship that demands implicit trust between father and son. As far as tactics for the race are concerned. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH Rise of the celebrity horse owner 02:01 "That'll be left to Joseph.

I presume he'll take his time on him, he usually does. That's the way he rides every race, he rides it by feel and takes it as it comes." At just 19, Joseph has already ridden more Classic winners than most jockeys will in a lifetime. But at nearly six-feet tall, the lanky teenager is surely riding on borrowed time as far as a sustained career as a flat jockey is concerned. "I try not to think about it too much," says Joseph. "However long I last, I last." A victory in the Triple Crown in what may be one of his final seasons on the flat would lend added poignancy to what has already been an omen-laden endeavour; the last horse to win the Triple Crown, Nijinsky, was trained at the very same Ballydoyle stables that Aiden O'Brien now occupies by a different O'Brien, legendary trainer Vincent. Although the two O'Brien clans are not related, it is a further example of how normative determinism has played a fateful role in the colt's career to date. Camelot's owners -- Messrs.

Derrick Smith and Michael Tabor and Mrs John Magnier -- had eagerly awaited a horse to come into their possession who was worthy of the name. In the handsome bay with the interrupted white blaze, they found the perfect specimen. Read: How to pick a winning racehorse Purchased out of the sales ring as a yearling for 252,000 guineas ($426,018), he quickly asserted himself as one of the leading two-year-olds of his generation. In a sport where early promise is not necessarily a guarantee of future staying power, Camelot has not put a foot wrong, amassing more than $2.5 million in prize money over his two seasons on the track, in which he has remained undefeated in all five of his races. JUST WATCHED MUST WATCH France's greatest horse trainer? 02:22 Camelot was sired by the great Montjeu, who was also responsible for fellow Derby winners Motivator, Authorized and Pour Moi. Tellingly, he also sired St Leger winners Scorpion and Masked Marvel (the 2011 champion).

Montjeu passed away earlier this year after suffering complications from septicaemia, meaning that a career at stud is now a certainty for Camelot. The St Leger, therefore, will likely be the swansong of his meteoric career. The blood that flows through Camelot's veins is now simply too valuable to risk in further outings on the track. Despite that, Camelot is roundly quoted as the favorite for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France, Europe's most prestigious race. Victory at Longchamp would see Camelot finally step out of the shadow of Nijinsky, who finished second in the Arc following his Triple Crown. Could Camelot's owners be tempted to give their colt one final shot at posterity? It seems unlikely. Montjeu's stable at nearby Coolmore -- the nerve centre of the Magniers' Irish breeding operation -- still has his name above the door, having not been given to another stallion. There seems only one likely occupant in the near future. But before he can begin to contemplate a future servicing mares, first there is the small matter of the St Leger.

Camelot's main challenger will be the John Gosden-trained Thought Worthy, who represents his trainer's best chance of landing a treble of his own in the form of three consecutive St Leger victories. O'Brien is realistic about his chances: "Everybody knows the Triple Crown is very difficult to win. "I can't tell you how hard it is to win any of those big races. We do our very best every day and sometimes it's good enough and sometimes it's not. "So many things have to happen to get the horse right, get everybody together and for the thing to happen on the day. It's just something that I couldn't even dream about." One suspects that O'Brien is dreaming, however; dreaming of English racing's Holy Grail. Learn and talk about Sea the Stars, Arc winners, British Classic Race winners, Cartier Award winners, Epsom Derby winners Breeding[ edit ] Bred by Sunderland Holdings Ltd, the breeding operation of the Tsui family, Sea the Stars is a half brother to Epsom Derby winner Galileo , both being sons of Arc winner Urban Sea .

Racing career[ edit ] 2008: two-year-old season[ edit ] Sea The Stars started his racing career at the Curragh in July 2008. Still very green and boxed in in the final furlong, he finished a close fourth behind subsequent US Grade 1 winner Driving Snow. He won his second race easily at Leopardstown by 2½ lengths, taking the lead 2 furlongs out and never being threatened. In the last race of his 2-year-old campaign, Sea The Stars won the Group 2 2008 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh by ½ length from stablemate Mourayan and Ballydoyle's Masterofthehorse. This turned out to be his closest race. 2009: three-year-old season[ edit ] Sea The Stars completed a perfect three-year-old campaign, winning six Group I races in six months, including two English Classic races and one French Classic race. His three-year-old record is described by many as the best of modern thoroughbred racing.

[3] 2000 Guineas Stakes[ edit ] Sea The Stars was rested over the winter, and John Oxx entered him in the 2009 2000 Guineas without a prep race. Despite this, he started 8-1 in the betting behind Craven Stakes winner Delegator (3/1f). There were concerns about his preparations because of a setback on 17 March due to a viral infection and a temperature. He rested for 2 weeks, which hampered his preparation for the Guineas. However, Oxx still wanted to give him his chance at a mile, and a good workout the week prior to the race encouraged Oxx to declare him. Travelling well throughout the race, Sea The Stars pulled clear of the field in the final furlong, winning by one length from the favourite, with Gan Amhras ¾ of a length behind in third. [4] Michael Kinane , winning his fourth 2000 Guineas, later commented: "He's a classy horse and we've waited for him all winter.

He's been crying out for this ground." Epsom Derby[ edit ] Despite doubts about his stamina and a strong field, notably from Ballydoyle , who fielded six of the twelve runners, Sea The Stars won the 2009 Epsom Derby , beating the favourite, Fame And Glory, and Masterofthehorse (making it a 1-2-3 to Ireland). Racing prominently behind the pacemakers, Sea The Stars traveled very well and slowly reeled in the leader from three furlongs out, taking the lead with 1 1⁄2 furlongs to go and keeping the lead all the way to the finish. Mick Kinane (winning his third Derby two weeks shy of his 50th birthday) said of the winner, "I was going so easy all the way, it was as if we were going in slow motion." [5] Eclipse Stakes[ edit ] Sea the Stars was scratched from the 2009 Irish Derby due to the track conditions, [6] but won the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park a week later.

Always travelling well, he overtook the fading pacemakers early down the straight, forcing Kinane to commit earlier than expected. Rip Van Winkle came with a strong challenge two furlongs out, but Sea The Stars fought him off with a surge of acceleration, winning readily by one and a half lengths, with 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Conduit five lengths behind in third. [7] Sea The Stars at York International Stakes[ edit ] In August 2009, Sea the Stars won the Juddmonte International Stakes at York . Scaring off most of the opposition, he faced only four other horses were left in the race, three of them from Ballydoyle. Mastercraftsman, winner of four Group I races including the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St. James's Palace Stakes at Ascot, was the main opposition, with the two others acting as pacemakers. Tracking Mastercraftsman throughout the race, Kinane followed Johnny Murtagh through a narrowing gap created by the two pacemakers at the beginning of the straight.

Sea The Stars powered past Mastercraftsman in the last furlong, taking the Group I race by a length and breaking the track record by 0.8 seconds. [8] Irish Champion Stakes[ edit ] Next was the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September 2009. It was Sea The Stars' first appearance in front of his home crowd since 2008, and the race was billed as a clash between him and Fame and Glory , who since finishing second in the Epsom Derby had won the Irish Derby by five lengths and been rested for two months. The race was highly anticipated, as the rematch during the Irish Derby was postponed due to ground conditions. Turning into the straight, Johnny Murtagh on board Fame and Glory took the initiative and got first run on Sea The Stars. A patient Kinane stayed on Murtagh's heels and with a powerful burst of speed went easily past Fame and Glory two furlongs out to win by two and a half lengths. Mastercraftsman finished third, another two and a half lengths behind Fame and Glory. After his win in the Irish Champion Stakes, Sea The Stars was awarded a 140 Timeform Rating.

[9] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe[ edit ] On 4 October 2009, six months since his win in the 2000 Guineas , Sea The Stars lined up as the odds-on favourite for Europe's most prestigious all-aged race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France. A large field of nineteen runners along with a long and difficult season were major concerns, with some thinking this was one race too many. The race featured nine other Group I winners, including unbeaten French filly Stacelita ; Yorkshire Oaks and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dar Re Mi ; Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory ; 2008 St Leger Stakes , 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Conduit ; Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Vision d'Etat ; Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel winner Cavalryman ; and two-time Arc runner-up Youmzain . Quickly out of the stalls, Sea The Stars pulled very hard for the first two furlongs, was bumped and dropped back down the field.

Kinane settled him and raced on in eighth and ninth position throughout the race. Turning into the straight, Sea The Stars stayed on the rail and seemed boxed in and in trouble. As the principals started to pick up, Kinane found a gap and challenged Stacelita alongside Dar Re Mi. Sea The Stars then produced a decisive turn of foot and went clear in a matter of strides. After going three lengths clear half a furlong out, he was eased down, winning by two lengths. He thus became the only horse to have won the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby , and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year. [10] Assessment[ edit ] Sea The Stars took all the available major awards across Europe, including Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Cartier Racing Awards , Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards and Horse of the Year at the Irish Horse Racing Awards. [11] He was officially rated the best horse in the world in 2009, with a rating of 136. He was rated six pounds superior to the second-rated horse, Goldikova .

[12] Timeform rated him 140, and the joint seventh best horse in their history, with only Sea Bird , Tudor Minstrel , Brigadier Gerard , Abernant , Ribot and Mill Reef rated superior ( Frankel has also since surpassed this mark). Stud career[ edit ] His retirement was announced on 13 October 2009 by trainer John Oxx . [13] [14] On 27 October 2009, it was announced that Sea The Stars would stand at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in Ireland. The 2008 Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe winner, Zarkava, was among the first mares booked to be covered by him. [15] On 6 March 2010, it was announced that Sea The Stars had his first five mares checked in foal. Among those is Zarkasha of the unbeaten Zarkava.

The other notable mares includes Bordighera - dam 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, the 2009 winner of the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) Alpine Rose, Centreofattention, a full sister to Irish Group 1 winner Holy Roman Emperor, and Seward’s Folly, the dam of Group 2 winner Sayif. As of July 2010 [update] , Sea The Stars has covered 140 mares. On 23 January 2011, it was reported that two days previously, his first foal had been born to the Australian horse Centreofattention at Castlebridge Stud in Ireland. The owner of Castlebridge Stud said, "We are delighted to have had the first Sea the Stars foal born, he looks a smashing colt with plenty of size and scope." [16] On 5 June 2014, Taghrooda won the Investec Oaks Stakes, marking the first Classic win for Sea The Stars as a sire. On 26 July, Taghrooda won Britain's premier weight-for-age race the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes .

On 6 July 2014, Sea The Moon , by Sea The Stars out of Sanwa, won the German Derby (Gr.1) by 11 lengths, making it the 2nd Classic win for Sea The Stars as a sire from his first crop of 3 year olds. His stud fee for 2009 was €85,000. [17] Camelot defeated by Encke in St Leger - CNN.com Camelot defeated by Encke in St Leger By Alysen Miller, CNN Updated 11:54 AM ET, Sat September 15, 2012 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

Encke, ridden by Mickael Barzalona (right), wins the St Leger Stakes ahead of Camelot (second left) at Doncaster Racecourse Story highlights Camelot fails in bid to win prestigious Triple Crown in St Leger Stakes at Doncaster racecourse, England Winner of this season's 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby beaten into second by Encke, ridden by Mickael Barzalona English racing was deprived of its first Triple Crown winner in more than 40 years after Encke, ridden by Mickael Barzalona, got up to beat favorite Camelot by three quarters of a length in the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster Racecourse Saturday. Camelot had been aiming to emulate Nijinsky by winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and the St Leger in the same season. But he was out-gunned by Encke, whose victory gives his owner, Sheikh Mohammed, a sixth victory in this race and puts him second on the all-time list.

French jockey Barzalona, riding in his first St Leger, described his victory aboard Encke as "very easy," saying he was very happy with the result. In a highly tactical race, pacemaker Dartford dictated the early pace, with Camelot content to settle towards the back of the field. Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Hat-trick for Camelot? – Camelot, the horse with the mythical name, has so far lived up to his billing, winning the Epsom Derby and 2,000 Guineas. Will he win a fairytale Triple Crown at the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday? Hide Caption 1 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Not your average Joe – Jockey Jospeh O'Brien rode the three-year-old colt to victory at the Epsom Derby. The 19-year-old Irishman has ridden Camelot in all of his starts and will play a decisive role masterminding Saturday's race. Hide Caption 2 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again?

It's a family affair – Jospeh's father and trainer Aiden O'Brien, pictured, has admitted Camelot's bid to become the first horse since Nijinsky to win the Triple Crown will be a push for the colt. Hide Caption 3 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? History lesson – Team Ballydoyle inspect the track at Melbourne Cup's Flemington Racecourse. The Ballydoyle stables in Ireland were also home to Nijinksy -- the last Triple Crown winner. Hide Caption 4 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? A royal occasion – The British Royal Family watch Camelot storm to victory at the Epsom Derby. The Queen's horse, Carlton House, had been the bookmakers favorite to win, but came third. Hide Caption 5 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Irish eyes smiling – The Ballydole operation has made a clean sweep of the English Classics this season -- the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and their fillies' equivalents the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks. Hide Caption 6 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again?

Like father, like son – Father Aiden says the tactics of the race will be left to jockey son Joseph, adding: "I presume he'll take his time on him, he usually does. That's the way he rides every race, he rides it by feel and takes it as it comes." Hide Caption 7 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Nijinsky's legacy – The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Nijinsky in 1970, seen here being led at Ascot by a different O'Brien -- legendary trainer Vincent. Hide Caption 8 of 9 Photos: Will Camelot rise again? Black and white Bahram – Bahram won the Triple Crown 35 years before Nijinksy. Nowadays, very few horses even attempt the Triple Crown due to the extreme versatility required to win races ranging from one mile to one-and-three-quarter miles. Hide Caption

Question: The Epsom Derby and The 2,000 Guineas Stakes are 2 of the 3 races that make up British racing's Triple Crown. Name the third.
Answer: St. Leger