The 1996 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday June 8, 1996. It was the 217th running of the Derby, and it was won by Shaamit. The winner was ridden by Michael Hills and trained by William Haggas. The pre-race favourite Dushyantor finished second.
Sponsor: VodafoneWinner's prize money: £523,100Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)Number of runners: 20Winner's time: 2m 35.05s* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter. shd = short-head; hd = head; nk = neck.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Further details of the winner, Shaamit:
Foaled: February 11, 1993, in IrelandSire: Mtoto; Dam: Shomoose (Habitat)Owner: Khalifa DasmalBreeder: Khalifa DasmalRating in 1996 International Classifications: 124Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1995.
Glory of Dancer – 1st Gran CriteriumAlhaarth – 1st Vintage Stakes, 1st Solario Stakes, 1st Champagne Stakes, 1st Dewhurst StakesJack Jennings – 6th Washington Singer Stakes, 3rd Royal Lodge StakesAcharne – 6th Royal Lodge StakesEven Top – 1st Somerville Tattersall Stakes, 2nd Racing Post TrophyStorm Trooper – 2nd Autumn StakesZaforum – 4th Zetland Stakes, 8th Prix IsonomyBusy Flight – 2nd Haynes, Hanson and Clark Stakes, 2nd Horris Hill StakesPrince of My Heart – 6th Silver Tankard StakesEarly-season appearances in 1996 and trial races prior to running in the Derby.
Dushyantor – 2nd Dante StakesGlory of Dancer – 2nd Sandown Classic Trial, 1st Dante StakesAlhaarth – 2nd Craven Stakes, 4th 2,000 GuineasMystic Knight – 1st Lingfield Derby TrialJack Jennings – 3rd Feilden Stakes, 3rd Dante StakesAcharne – 5th Premio Parioli, 6th Lingfield Derby TrialDouble Leaf – 4th Sandown Classic Trial, 5th Dante StakesClassic Eagle – 7th Thirsk Classic Trial, 6th Chester VaseTasdid – 3rd Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, 4th Amethyst StakesEven Top – 2nd 2,000 GuineasStorm Trooper – 1st Feilden Stakes, 11th 2,000 Guineas, 6th Dante StakesZaforum – 3rd Lingfield Derby TrialSt Mawes – 2nd Feilden Stakes, 2nd Chester Vase, 3rd Predominate StakesBusy Flight – 6th Sandown Classic TrialPrince of My Heart – 3rd Chester VasePortuguese Lil – 10th 1,000 GuineasGroup 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Shantou – St. Leger (1996), Gran Premio del Jockey Club (1996), Gran Premio di Milano (1997)Chief Contender – Prix du Cadran (1997)Storm Trooper – Hollywood Invitational Turf Handicap (1998) 
