The 1997 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday June 7, 1997. It was the 218th running of the Derby, and it was won by Benny the Dip. The winner was ridden by Willie Ryan and trained by John Gosden. The pre-race favourite Entrepreneur finished fourth.
Sponsor: VodafoneWinner's prize money: £595,250Going: GoodNumber of runners: 13Winner's time: 2m 35.77s* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter. shd = short-head.
† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Further details of the winner, Benny the Dip:
Foaled: March 25, 1994, in Kentucky, USASire: Silver Hawk; Dam: Rascal Rascal (Ack Ack)Owner: Landon Knight and Claiborne FarmBreeder: Landon KnightRating in 1997 International Classifications: 126Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1996.
Benny the Dip – 1st Royal Lodge Stakes, 3rd Racing Post TrophySilver Patriarch – 1st Zetland StakesFahris – 2nd Silver Tankard StakesSymonds Inn – 2nd Acomb Stakes, 3rd Silver Tankard StakesPapua – 5th Racing Post TrophyEarly-season appearances in 1997 and trial races prior to running in the Derby.
Benny the Dip – 2nd Sandown Classic Trial, 1st Dante StakesSilver Patriarch – 3rd Sandown Classic Trial, 1st Lingfield Derby TrialRomanov – 3rd Irish 2,000 GuineasEntrepreneur – 1st 2,000 GuineasFahris – 1st Feilden StakesSymonds Inn – 1st Glasgow StakesMulsalsal – 3rd Dante StakesCloudings – 1st Prix de Courcelles, 1st Prix LupinSingle Empire – 1st Derby ItalianoCrystal Hearted – 5th Easter Stakes, 1st Dee StakesPapua – 3rd Easter Stakes, 2nd Blue Riband Trial Stakes, 4th Lingfield Derby TrialGroup 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Silver Patriarch – St. Leger (1997), Coronation Cup (1998), Gran Premio del Jockey Club (1998)Single Empire – San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (1999) 
