The 1985 Epsom Derby (known as the Ever Ready Derby for sponsorship reasons) was the 206th annual running of the Derby horse race. It took place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 5 June 1985.
The race was won by Lord Howard de Walden's Slip Anchor, at odds of 9/4 ridden by jockey Steve Cauthen and trained at Newmarket by Henry Cecil. The win was a first success in the race for owner, trainer and jockey. Cauthen became the first man to ride the winners of both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.
Sponsor: Ever ReadyWinner's prize money: £204,160Going: GoodNumber of runners: 14Winner's time: 2 minutes, 36.23 secondsFurther details of the winner, Slip Anchor:
Foaled: 15 April 1982, in United KingdomSire: Shirley Heights; Dam: Sayonara (Birkhahn)Owner: Lord Howard de WaldenBreeder: Lord Howard de WaldenNotable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1984:
Damister - 1st in Somerville Tattersall Stakes, 2nd in William Hill FuturityLanfranco - 1st in William Hill FuturityLaw Society – 1st in Anglesey Stakes, 1st in National Stakes, 2nd in Dewhurst StakesPetoski - 1st in Lanson Champagne Stakes, 3rd in Champagne StakesReach - 1st in Royal Lodge StakesRoyal Harmony - 2nd in Acomb Stakes, 3rd in Royal Lodge StakesEarly-season appearances in 1985 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:
Damister – 2nd in Craven Stakes, 1st in Sandown Classic Trial, 1st in Dante StakesLanfranco - 1st in Predominate StakesLaw Society – 1st in Chester VasePetoski – 2nd in Sandown Classic Trial, 2nd in Chester VasePhardante - 2nd in Predominate StakesReach – 3rd in Dante StakesSeurat - 1st in Prix Jean de ChaudenayShadeed – 1st in Craven Stakes, 1st in 2,000 Guineas StakesSlip Anchor - 1st in Heathorn Stakes, 1st in Lingfield Derby TrialSupreme Leader – 3rd in 2,000 Guineas StakesTheatrical – 1st in Ballysax Stakes, 1st in Derrinstown Stud Derby TrialGroup 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Petoski – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1985)Law Society – Irish Derby (1985)Theatrical – Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap (1987), Man o' War Stakes (1987), Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (1987), Breeders' Cup Turf (1987) 