The Derby - Still the world's greatest race?

[Posts: 10789Joined: 10 Feb 2003, 15:43Location: Scotland]

Well, is it?

[Posts: 849Joined: 14 Jun 2009, 23:52Location: Croydon]

hmmmmmm no. I haven't seen many of the today's papers but the Daily Mail doesn't mention the race on their first page, which I think they did for the Grand National. Despite all the controversy associated with that race its now more well known (liked?) than the Derby.

[Posts: 728Joined: 09 Jan 2011, 14:48]

For 60 years, it hasn't even been the greatest flat race in England.

[Posts: 12299Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 19:24]

Well, is it?

Certainly not this year.

[Posts: 2032Joined: 06 Jun 2011, 14:34Location: Bury St Edmunds]

Purely in terms of its influence on the progression of the thoroughbred,yes.

[Posts: 1828Joined: 03 Jan 2004, 19:43Location: north west]

It rather depends on what you mean by great.
If you mean great in that the best possible field is assembled and the winner will be the best middle-distance colt of his generation, then the answer will vary from year to year.
If you mean great in that the race maintains an exceptional level of history, public interest and status (with prize money to match), then the answer's more likely to still be a yes.
In answer to your question though, one thing's for sure - it certainly isn't the St Leger. Now THAT is a classic that has diminished on all fronts in recent years.

[Posts: 10789Joined: 10 Feb 2003, 15:43Location: Scotland]

Interestingly enough, or otherwise, Paul Hanagan has twice been champion jockey but, at this munute, has never ridden in the Derby.

There's a question for the history gurus, when was the last time a jockey had won two championships without having ever ridden in a Derby?

[Posts: 406Joined: 25 Oct 2009, 10:28]

It's surely on the shortlist of the greatest races though I think the Arc holds more appeal nowadays.

The Derby is a distinction when you see it on the 'CV' of great british racehorses. But then, at least one great horse of was robbed of this honour 26 years ago

[Posts: 12299Joined: 22 Dec 2007, 19:24]

Well, is it?

Certainly not this year.

Actually, although this year doesn't look great on paper, the role call of even recent winners is still hard to beat.

[Posts: 3436Joined: 06 Jul 2007, 11:38]

Not for me. Still one of the greatest horse races in the world but for many decades now, I regard The Arc as THE race.

[Posts: 1043Joined: 12 Feb 2011, 15:34]

Gives the Grand National a run for the World's Latest Race.

Every bloody year. AND THERE'S ONLY 9 BLOODY RUNNERS THIS TIME !

[Posts: 1308Joined: 17 Nov 2009, 01:13Location: Virginia]

Neither the Derby nor the Arc are the world's greatest race, since they do not allow geldings to run.

[Posts: 3436Joined: 06 Jul 2007, 11:38]

Neither the Derby nor the Arc are the world's greatest race, since they do not allow geldings to run.

What a total waste to the racing undustry it would be if Camelot had been gelded and then been allowed to run in ( and win ) The Derby. As it is, we will now ( hopefully ) see the progeny of this year's great Derby winner compete in future Derbys and Arcs.

Thank heavens we have the non gelding rule.