IRISH DERBY
The Irish Derby is seen by many as the most important of the 5 Irish Classics, alongside the Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the Oaks (the fillies equivalent) and the Irish St Leger which is now open to 3 year olds and upwards. All of the Classics are contested at The Curragh in County Kildare. The Irish Derby is run over a mile and a half (2414 metres) and is usually held 3 weeks after the Epsom Derby. Although the first recognised Derby was held in 1866 over 1 mile 6 furlongs and 3 yards, pre-dating this race were the O’Darby Stakes, first contested at the Curragh in 1817, and the Curragh Derby, first held on Tuesday 27th June 1848 over 1 ½ miles when Justice To Ireland beat King of Kildare by 2 lengths. There was then a lapse before the 3rd Earl of Howth, the 3rd Marquess of Drogheda and the 3rd Earl of Charlemont launched the inaugural running of the Irish Derby on Wednesday 27th June 1866 won by Selim for owner Mr J Cockin. The Irish Derby is closely associated with the Epsom Derby, with the first dual winner being Orby in 1907. Since then, up to 2018, there have been a further 18 dual winners. The ratings of the dual winners are Orby (2056), Santa Claus (2073), Nijinsky (2140), Grundy (2123), The Minstrel (2094), Shirley Heights (2016), Troy (2122), Shergar (2169), El Gran Senor (2110), Shahrastani (2093), Kahyasi (1975), Generous (2153), Commander In Chief (1987), Sinndar (2061), Galileo (2078), High Chaparral (2013), Camelot (2018), Australia (2050) and Capri (1932).
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History of the English 1000 Guineas; History of English 2000 Guineas; History of the Epsom Oaks; History of the Epsom Derby; History of the Doncaster St Leger; Irish Oaks; Irish 2000 Guineas
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