Epsom Derby Racing Results
While the Belmont Stakes organizers were gearing up for one of the biggest racing events on the horse racing calendar, the second day of the Epsom Derby, also referred to as the Epsom Derby Festival, was well underway. With a full day of racing splendor on Friday the 6th of June, known as Ladies Day, and a jam packed schedule for Derby Day on Saturday the 7th of June, the Epsom Downs Racecourse was in high spirits, with thousands of spectators who came out in support of the Epsom Derby Festival and their favorite horses.
As horse racing usually goes, there were some who were thrilled with the results and others who walked away disappointed. In the first racing event of the Epsom Derby, the Juddmonte Diomed Stakes, it was Blythe Knight who ran home victorious ahead of Alexandros in second, with Younger Pretender and Don’t Panic taking third and fourth positions respectively. The Class 2 Jeep Mile Handicap was won by Little White Lie, followed by Unshakeable, Vainglory and Vitznau. In the Totesport BetXtra Rose Bowl Heritage handicap, Emirates Skyline was first, with Ladies Best in second, Rationale in third and Smart Instinct in fourth. Soldier of Fortune took top honors in the Group 1 Juddmonte Coronation Cup, with Youmzain close behind and Macarther finishing in third. The Juddmonte Oaks was another nail biting event at the Epsom Derby Festival, which was taken by Look Here, Moonstone, Katiyra and Clowance crossing the finish line in that order. Iguazo Falls was successful in securing the win in the Help for Heroes Surrey Stakes, with Fathsta, Croi Mo Ri and Dream Day having to settle for following positions. In the last race for Ladies Day, Bellomi thundered across the finish line in the Tattenham Stakes Handicap, with Dubai Meydan, Slugger O’Toole and Opera Prince right behind the leader.
Derby Day kicked off with the running of the Totesportcasino.com Stakes in which Conduit took top honors and Ramona Chase, First Avenue and Siberian Tiger following. The Woodscote Stakes was the second race of the day with Smokey Storm leading the field and Indian Art, Able Master and Roly Boy having to settle for their respective positions. Lady Gloria won the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, pursued home by Cicerole, Enforce and Selinka. Holbeck Ghyll prevailed in the Totosport.com Dash Heritage Handicap, while Merlin’s Dancer held onto second position and Safari Mischief crossing the finish line in front of Hogmaneigh. In the Group 1 Vodafone Derby, New Approach walked away victorious with the subsequent positions going to Tartar Bearer, Casual Conquest and Doctor Freemantle. The Northern Dancer Stakes was the second last race of the Epsom Derby Festival and was won in spectacular style by Bureaucrat, with Bandama second, Aureate third and in forth, Kings Head. Mac Gille Eoin ended the festival on a high note by winning the closing race, followed by Our Faye, Gift Horse and Sweet Pickle.
This year, the Epsom Derby was bursting with excitement, magnificent horse racing and two well supported days by spectators and racing enthusiasts. In 2009 there will be new challengers and new contenders, but the quality of the Epsom Downs Racecourse and its ability to organize phenomenal racing events will remain the same.
