Royal Ascot: King Edward VII Stakes

The King Edward VII Stakes is a Group 2 flat race over 1 mile 3 furlongs and 211 yards, open to three-year-old colts and geldings, and takes place on the fourth day of the Royal meeting. It was originally known as the Ascot Derby, and in the early days both Oaks and Derby winners contested the race, but it was changed to its present name in 1926 in memory of King Edward VII.
Early history:- The inaugural running of the Ascot Derby, forerunner of the King Edward VII Stakes, was held on Tuesday 17th June 1834 when won by the Epsom Oaks winner Pussy (4/7 fav), who beat Oaks runner-up Louisa by a length with two Derby subscribers behind, although those two colts did not ultimately contest the Epsom Derby.
Ascot Derby 1885 Group 2 1 mile 4 furlongs
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer/Age/weight Owner
1 THE CHILD OF THE MIST Charles Wood John Dawson snr 3-8st 10lbs Mr Mackenzie 7/4 fav
2 WILLIE DARLING G Barrett T Fordham 3-8st 3lbs Mr Manton 10/1
3 DANDIE DINMONT W Lashmar Charles Blanton 3-8st 3lbs Prince Soltykoff 3/1
4 METAL Fred Archer John Porter 3-8st 10lbs Duke of Westminster 7/1
5 ALBERT John Osborne Bates 3-8st 10lbs Mr R Jardine 10/1
6 DUCAT Fred Webb Tom Jennings jnr 3-8st 10lbs Mr C J Lefevre 11/2
The Ascot Derby, forerunner of the King Edward VII Stakes, took place on Wednesday 17th June 1885 over the mile and a half course starting at the Swinley Post, and was won by a bay colt by Blair Athol out of Ma Belle, winning a first prize was 2350 sovereigns from 37 subscribers (equivalent to £304,000 in 2020). Actual first prize was £1375. Over round 104%
King Edward VII Stakes Group 2 1 mile 4 furlongs 1834
        1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839
1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849
1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859
1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869
1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879
1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885