The 1987 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Wednesday June 3, 1987. It was the 208th running of the Derby, and it was won by the pre-race favourite Reference Point. The winner was ridden by Steve Cauthen and trained by Henry Cecil.
Sponsor: Ever ReadyWinner's prize money: £282,025Going: GoodNumber of runners: 19Winner's time: 2m 33.90s* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter. shd = short-head; nk = neck.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Further details of the winner, Reference Point:
Foaled: February 26, 1984, in Great BritainSire: Mill Reef; Dam: Home on the Range (Habitat)Owner: Louis FreedmanBreeder: Louis FreedmanRating in 1987 International Classifications: 135Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1986.
Reference Point – 1st Futurity StakesMost Welcome – 5th Middle Park StakesBellotto – 1st Acomb StakesGroom Dancer – 1st Prix Herod, 8th Prix de la Salamandre, 1st Prix de Condé, 3rd Critérium de Saint-CloudAjdal – 1st Dewhurst StakesLove the Groom – 3rd Futurity StakesGulf King – 8th Chesham Stakes, 6th Prix de la Salamandre, 1st Beresford StakesEarly-season appearances in 1987 and trial races prior to running in the Derby.
Reference Point – 1st Dante StakesMost Welcome – 3rd Craven Stakes, 13th 2,000 Guineas (finished 3rd, placed last)Bellotto – 3rd Greenham Stakes, 2nd 2,000 GuineasSir Harry Lewis – 1st Dee StakesEntitled – 2nd Irish 2,000 GuineasMountain Kingdom – 3rd Easter Stakes, 2nd Lingfield Derby TrialGroom Dancer – 1st Prix Omnium II, 1st Prix de Guiche, 1st Prix LupinSadjiyd – 1st Prix Noailles, 1st Prix HocquartAjdal – 1st Craven Stakes, 4th 2,000 Guineas (finished 5th, placed 4th), Irish 2,000 Guineas (finished 3rd, disqualified)Persifleur – 1st Prix Greffulhe, 3rd Dante StakesAscot Knight – 2nd Dante StakesLove the Groom – 4th Craven StakesIbn Bey – 5th Lingfield Derby Trial, 1st Predominate StakesLegal Bid – 1st Feilden Stakes, 1st Lingfield Derby TrialGulf King – 6th Craven Stakes, 1st Sandown Classic Trial, 5th Dante StakesWater Boatman – 3rd Feilden Stakes, 6th Lingfield Derby Trial, 2nd Gallinule StakesAlwasmi – 2nd Predominate StakesRomantic Prince – 4th Dante StakesGroup 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Reference Point – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1987), St. Leger (1987)Sir Harry Lewis – Irish Derby (1987)Ajdal – July Cup (1987), William Hill Sprint Championship (1987)Ibn Bey – Gran Premio d'Italia (1987), Preis von Europa (1989), Deutschland-Preis (1990), Irish St. Leger (1990) 
