Inaugurated 1937 Sponsor Investec Distance 1m 2f 18y (2,028 m) | Race type Flat / Thoroughbred Website Epsom Downs | |
Location Epsom Downs
Epsom, England | ||
The Investec Derby Trial, formerly known as the Blue Riband Trial Stakes, is a flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old horses. It is run over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 18 yards (2,028 metres) at Epsom in April.
Contents
History
Established in 1937, the Blue Riband Trial Stakes replaced a previous event called the Nonsuch Plate. It was originally contested over 1 mile and 110 yards.
The present system of race grading was introduced in 1971, and the Blue Riband Trial Stakes was given Group 3 status. It was relegated to Listed level in 1986, and it later became an ungraded conditions race.
The Blue Riband Trial Stakes was discontinued for several years in the mid-1990s. It returned in 1997, and from this point its distance was 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards. It was cut to 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 18 yards in 1999.
The race was renamed the Investec Derby Trial in 2010, when the banking group Investec took over the sponsorship.
The event can serve as a trial for the Epsom Derby (flat racing's "Blue Riband"). The Derby is also currently sponsored by Investec. An automatic entry for the trial winner was introduced in 2012.
The last winner of the trial to achieve victory in the Derby was Blue Peter in 1939.
Records
Leading jockey since 1970 (4 wins):
Leading trainer since 1970 (4 wins):
Winners since 1970
a The 1983 race was abandoned due to waterlogging.
b The 1991 running took place at Kempton Park over a distance of 1 mile.
c The 2008 edition was run at Nottingham over 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 50 yards.