The Derby is always marked on the horse racing calendar as it is the biggest flat race of the season. There have been many dramatic moments, and if you are looking for a flutter, you won’t have any difficulty locating horse racing tips on Betdaq for this showpiece occasion.
Set over 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 6 yards, the Epsom course consists of a horseshoe shape that is run anti-clockwise. There have been some quick times clocked over the years, and aside from being a great day out for racegoers, the race is always eagerly anticipated.
Let’s take a trip down the memory lane, and recount five of the most pulsating finishes in The Derby’s history.
Shergar (1981)
There was a certain mystique that surrounded Shergar, but there were usually moments of sheer brilliance. And at Epsom, Shergar came to the fore with a scintillating display.
Teenage jockey Walter Swinburn was on board Shergar that day, and he guided his ride to one of the most impressive wins in the Derby. While it was far from a dramatic conclusion, the 10-length winning margin is a record that is still intact. Glint of Gold came runner-up, but Shergar was on another level.
Sir Percy (2006)
Well, if you love pulsating finishes, this one ranks very high. Sir Percy looked to have been nudged out of contention on the home straight by Dylan Thomas and Dragon Dancer.
However, the closing pack were hot on their heels, and that included Sir Percy. Hala Bek also veered right, and nearly unseated the rider, but Sir Percy dug deep to force himself over the line and win by a shorthead as the phrase by a nose hadn’t entered the horse racing lexicon by that point. This one is definitely worth another watch on YouTube, so here it is!
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Pour Moi (2011)
Premature celebrations can sometimes come back to haunt you! Mickael Barzalona began punching the air as he stood up on the saddle to soak up the raucous Epsom atmosphere.
Barzalona, who at the time was 19-year-old, was hugely charismatic, but perhaps a little naive. A strong turn saw Pour Moi – the second favourite – surge into the lead 20 yards from the finishing line. However, he still managed to win, fending off Treasure Beach in a photo finish. Those in the Pour Moi paddock were given an unnecessary scare.
Wing of Eagles (2017)
One of the more unlikely winners, as he was a 40-1 outsider, Wing of Eagles soared to new heights at the Derby, and how. In the previous 12 months, jockey Padraig Beggy was out of sorts, as he had ridden just one winner.
For much of the race, he was one of the backmarkers, and with a furlong to go, Wing of Eagles was in seventh place. But he found an extraordinary turn of pace to kick on, and he denied Cliffs of Moher and Cracksman in the last 50 yards.
Serpentine (2020)
Once again, it was another unfancied horse that took the spoils in 2020. But Serpentine – who won in the lead-up to The Derby – caught fire early on and surged into the lead.
The tactics adopted by Serpentine were spot-on, and he looked in control throughout. By the time the field reached the last bend, they didn’t hold much hope in overhauling, and Serpentine cruised to a five-and-a-half length victory ahead of Khalifa Sat.