Derby is the name of several important horse races for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds. Horse owners and trainers value victories in important derbies because of the races’ rich prize money and tradition.
The world’s oldest derby is the Epsom Derby << DAHR bee >> , which was first held at the Epsom Downs racecourse in Epsom, England, in 1780. The race was founded and named by Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby, a prominent horseman of the day. The most famous and popular Thoroughbred race in North America is the Kentucky Derby , modeled after the Epsom Derby. The Kentucky Derby has taken place annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, since 1875. Other well-known derbies include the Irish Derby, the Santa Anita Derby in California, the Florida Derby, and the Arkansas Derby.
