I attended my first Derby at the tender age of 7 in the mighty Nijinsky’s cakewalk of 1970, although nothing remains in my memory banks of the occasion, then again the same could be said of the last few Derbies, but for totally different reasons.
My first recollections of a Derby Day begin a year later in 1971, the Great Mill reef’s year. I remember it was really hot that day and sitting in my Brother’s caravanette in the traffic that had come to witness the pocket wonder horse destroy the field, on the approach to the Downs was stifling. To be honest I never saw the race, my other Brother and Dad had to jump ship and run the last half mile to the course to place a bet and observe history in the making. My Brother backed the winner, much to Dads exasperation (he was the form expert), so much so he made me have the obligatory picture with the monkey on my shoulder (a la Friends) which was still passed around until recently at family functions, 40 odd years persecution for one loser. It goes a bit vague from then until 1976, Empery’s year, owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt (second the year before with the filly Nobilliary) trained by Maurice Zilber and ridden by the greatest ever British Sportsman. This was the first Derby with friends and not family, and I backed the winner, daren’t tell Dad. I looked very old for 12, had a hard life and one of those nice bookie chappies took my 10p and replaced it with about six times as much. Remember the Minstrel in Silver Jubilee year, but 78 a bit vague again. However that changed in 1979, with the 200th running and what a fitting winner we had. Troy, giving the best 3 year olds around a start and a 7 (more like 10) length beating. 1981 and Shergar was special but expected, 1982, gutted, really fancied Simply Great (nr), 1983, made up for 82, Teenoso and that man again. 1988 was interesting. I’d fancied Kahyasi for a while and on receiving a tip for a job well done proceeded to put 2/5ths on Kahyasi at 14s2/5ths on Gino each way at 50s and a 1/5th double. Kahyasi won, Gino didn’t, I was gutted, but at least Dad was pleased. In 89 Nashwan was devastating, as was Generous in 91. The most satisfying Derby result has to be 1993, a son righting his Dads wrong. I don’t think I could speak for a couple of days after cheering home Commander in chief, son of the greatest horse I’ve seen in my lifetime, but more of him later. 1994, Erhaab’s year was probably the most enjoyable days racing I’ve had, and all because of a dream. A Close friend of mine (Paul) had a dream on Derby Eve that the number 1 would win every race and he’d win the jackpot. The only other point he remembered was that all’ the horses wore orange colours. We were discussing this outside the Tattenham Corner pub over a drink, looking for horses that were either numbered 1, wore orange or both and there in the last race was Orange Place, number 1 on the race card and you couldn’t get more orange than in the name. Price 33/1, no chance. Then Pat noticed something that changed everyone’s mind. Above us hovering deafeningly was the Orange blimp, like a sign from Bacchus, the God of horse racing. The Derby came and went, Erhaab winning, Kings Theatre second (had the winner and f/cast), so at least I’d money to back the horse with. I think it opened at 20s and drifted. Had a few quid on at 25s ew and a few quid on the Tote win & place. Dad would’ve thrown a fit, kicked me out of the house, taken me out of his will all at the same time, Orange Place won. Paid 50s on the Tote I think, definitely 13/1 a place, plus the 25s. I don’t remember much about that evening, I know I upset Paul’s wife Alison which in turn upset my wife Jo and that I awoke the next morning with a massive headache, unsure if it was the alcohol or the beating, probably both. But then again I probably deserved it. Shaamit was a special day, amazing training performance and that man involved again, so to was 2000. Sinndar is in my opinion the best Derby winner I’ve witnessed; the group winners that emerged from that race were remarkable. It was great to see Brough Scott’s involvement with Motivator in 05 and Frankie’s win in 07 was fabulous.
What going to win this year, I hope Crowded House, not only a really good horse but also a fantastic band, but honestly I don’t really care. As long as it goes on to uphold the name of the race the same as other great horses have done before, that’s all I wish.
So that’s only 1 Derby missed since 1970, 1986, the year of the Brave. Probably just as well, the amount of tears shed would’ve probably turned the going so heavy the meeting would have had to be abandoned. Can’t wait for 2009. Hopefully see you there.
