Daniel Muscat rides the iconic Dubai Mile in Saturday's Derby. Photo: Getty Images/Naomi Baker
The Derby is a race for three-year-old foals and fillies, running one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards down the Epsom Downs, a particularly undulating course with a pronounced slope towards the rails at the finish line.
The culmination of the Flat season, the Derby is one of the five classic races in England. Others are the Oak set in Epsom the day before, 1000 guineas, Saint Leger and 2000 guineas.
The richest races in the UK on the plains have been held since 1780. This year they will be the culmination of a two-day festival at Epsom Downs Racecourse with an estimated 130,000 spectators. The derby has been held annually for 243 years, but was moved to Newmarket in 1915-18 and 1940-45.
The derby, also known as the Epsom Derby or Stakes Derby, costs £1.5 million, 850 £650 of which goes to the winner.
When is the Epsom Derby held?
The derby will take place tomorrow, on the second day of the Festival. Two additional Group 1 races, the Oaks and the Coronation Cup, will take place today on Women's Day.
What time does the race start?
The starter should send them tomorrow at 13:30, earlier than usual, because the final is scheduled FA Cup on the same day.
Which channel?
The race will be broadcast live on ITV1 as part of the comprehensive coverage of Ladies Day and Derby Day from Epsom presented by Ed Chamberlin. It will also be broadcast on ITV+.
What's new about possible protests?
Will Bolton
The Derby will stage the largest security operation in the event's history amid fears protesters will try to disrupt the race.
The Jockey Club, which owns the racetrack, has received a High Court injunction against Animal Rising because rights activists animals have made it clear that they intend to violate safety rules. The exact security measures have not been confirmed, but the club is believed to have spent an additional £150,000 to secure the race.
Nevin Truesdale, chief executive of the Jockey Club, said: “While it is extremely difficult to secure a place like Epsom Downs, the Surrey Police have been and continue to provide incredible assistance and we will be conducting a security operation at the Derby Festival this weekend. like nothing we've seen in the past.»
He said the sport has «never been safer» for horses, adding: «We love these equine athletes, these superstars, who get fantastic care backstage.< /p>
During a debate on Sky News Thursday morning, Animal Rising spokeswoman Claudia Penna Rojas was asked if she was willing to break the law. She replied: “I am ready to do whatever is necessary to do what is right for these animals and try to prevent them from being harmed.”
Jockey Club officials fear the protest will endanger competitors, spectators and horses, although they have said they do not waive the right to protest peacefully and have offered Animal Rising a spot near the entrance to the racetrack for demonstrations.
An injunction issued by High Court Judge Sir Anthony Mann forbids people from entering the racetrack and doing other things with the intent and/or effect of disrupting races.
Such acts include intentionally placing objects on the racetrack, entering the parade ring, entering and/or leaving horses in the path of the parade ring and the racecourse without permission, and intentionally endangering any person at the Epsom Downs Racecourse for two days. Derby Festival.
Those who violate a court order can be sued for contempt of court and fined or jailed.
Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: “ The ban the Jockey Club is seeking could be a game changer if it demonstrates that the commission of these illegal acts of destruction will no longer be tolerated, and that those who put themselves and others in danger will be subject to severe criminal sanctions.”
A Surrey police spokesman said officers were «well trained to respond to protests» and would be in touch throughout the day.This came after a crash at the Grand National in Aintree in April, when the race was delayed just over 10 minutes after the demonstrators entered the track and were removed by the police. 118 protesters were arrested.
How big is the field?
For an idea of the field, see our list of runners and riders.
Will the king and queen have any horses in the race?
There were three horses under the royal flag — Slipofthepen, Desert Hero and Circle of Fire — among the participants, but they have since been eliminated. The last horse to win against a reigning monarch was Edward VII's Minoru in 1909.
Who is the most successful current trainer?
Aidan O'Brien is the most successful coach in 242 years of Derby winning eight times with Galileo (2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), Ruler of the World (2013), Australia (2014), Wings of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyke (2019) and Serpentine (2020).
O'Brien has three horses in this year's race: Adelaide River, Auguste Rodin and San Antonio.
Which horse won last year?
The defending champion is Desert Crown, coached by Sir Michael Stout and owned by Said Suhail, who was a 5-2 favorite. The Desert Crown is not racing this year.
What are the last chances?
- Auguste Rodin5/2
- Military Order 4/1
- Arrest5/1
- Passenger9/2
- Sprewell12/1
- The Foxes 10/1
Are you betting on a race? Find the best betting deals at the Epsom Derby
Jockey runs marathons to lose weight
From Marcus Armistage
Last year was a breakthrough year for Daniel Muscutt; its first century plus (125) winners and a full set of pattern wins including the first group (criterium) at the Dubai Mile. On Saturday, the same foal gives the Zimbabwean jockey a good shot at winning the Betfred Derby on his first try.
Along with Irishmen Shane Foley, Colin Keane and Kevin Stott, the jockey is one of four debuting in this year's race.
At 27, Muscatt's success comes a little later than some. It didn't happen all of a sudden, but the combination of natural talent, silky arms, and elbow fat is now reaping its due rewards, and he continued to improve to the point where he became one of the most popular jockeys in Newmarket.
When 5ft 11in, which in the old days could be considered a bit of a barrier to work (it's almost normal now), he's tall but has stabilized his weight through long-distance running — he ran 3 hours and 10 minutes in his only run. full marathon, regularly runs half marathons — and the help of a nutritionist from Liverpool John Moores University.
«I'm still working hard on it, and through trial and error I know what works,» he says of maintaining his weight to ride at 8-11 pounds. “But if it's under control, there's one less thing to worry about. Initially, I started running long distances to get back in shape after my injury and also to keep the weight in the right balance. It turned into a small mistake. I've only run one full marathon in Valencia, but I'm sure I could have run a marathon in less than 3 hours if I had properly prepared for it!»
In Zimbabwe, where he was born, the Muscutt name is synonymous with success. His grandfather, Brian, evacuated from Coventry to what was then Rhodesia during the war, was a leading jockey there and in South Africa. His uncle Peter too. His father trained there.
But ever since he, his mother Rona and sister Emma returned to the UK when he was five years old, racing has never been off the agenda. After high school, he joined Andrew Balding's apprentice academy before moving on to James Fanshaw in 2016 and while the coach remains one of his biggest fans, Muscat has started to spread his wings at Newmarket and it's starting to pay dividends in 2022.
Last year he took the Dubai Mile ride for Mark and Charlie Johnston when the horse traveled south to Windsor for his second start. He won neatly, and the Johnstons have maintained the partnership ever since. During their second show together, they became the 5,000th Mark Johnston winner.
“Every race he took a step forward,” says Muscutt. “He did just about everything we asked for. He was beaten by a narrow margin by the Foxes in the Royal Box. There was no real excuse, but he took the lead and he loves to fight, so I could end up with someone who challenged me earlier that day. He handled the live ground and the fall in Newmarket — he's balanced, he should handle the Epsom. It meets many requirements.
He next won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud in a heavy beating of Arrest, whom he meets again in Derby, by a head-to-head margin. «It was over a mile and a quarter, but it took a little time for us to hope he would stay a mile and a half at Epsom,» the jockey says of the roaring lion foal.
He is back in the race this season for 2000 guineas and finished fifth in the assault. He is the only Derby driver to boast serious form in the first group this season. “We really enjoyed Newmarket,” Muscat says. “He hit on goal and attacked. As expected, after a mile he got off the leash quite early, but he saw it very strongly and rode over the line.”
The Derby remains the pinnacle for any jockey and Muscat is pleased to have a good chance. in an open race. “Winning it would be very nice,” he says. “This is a race that all jockeys want to win when they start. Epsom is not the easiest place, but we all know what it is. You have to have the right horse – and we hope we have it.”
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