2013 Investec Derby Festival
All roads lead to Epsom Downs this coming weekend for the third and fourth Classics of the new Flat season, the Investec Derby and the Investec Oaks.
Steeped in tradition, the races provide the ultimate test for middle-distance three-year-old colts and fillies.
Friday, May 31 - Day 1 of the Derby Festival at Epsom features the Group 1 Coronation Cup, a race open to four year olds or older and run over 2,423 metres, the same distance as the Derby and Oaks. The Coronation Cup is typically a contest in which last year’s classic hopefuls take on the even older, more experienced Group One middle distance campaigners. Aidan O’Brien has an excellent recent record in the race, having won the race four times since 2005, most notably with the brilliant Yeats, Fame And Glory and last year’s winner St. Nicholas Abbey.
Owners, trainers and jockeys will have their eyes set once again, on Classic glory, when the three-year old fillies take their place in the Group 1 Investec Oaks. Winning connections will scoop almost £200,000, and have the name of their horse etched on the race’s roll of honour, alongside legends such as Ouija Board and Oh So Sharp.
Friday's featured races:
- Coronation Cup (Group 1)
- Investec Oaks (Group 1)
- Diomed Stakes (Group 1)
Saturday, June 1st - Three are few sprints more fast and furious than the Investec Dash. Run just before the Derby Stakes, trainers Dandy Nicholls, Stuart Williams and Tim Easterby usually send a crack team.
The highlight of the two day festival though, is the Group 1 Investec Derby Stakes. Billed as the most prestigious race in the world, this eagerly anticipated Classic sees the pick of Europe’s three-year old colts, battle it out. For months, the credentials of the Derby’s leading contenders have been argued and discussed by pundits, punters, and connections. Speculation will end though, as the field make their way around Epsom’s famous undulating track. Some two and a half minutes later, a new champion will emerge, taking their place alongside racing immortals such as Sea The Stars and Shergar.
Saturday's featured races:
- Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3)
- Investec Dash
- Investec Derby (Group 1)
Handicapping the Investec Derby Festival:
Many TwinSpries.com players are familiar with Brisnet.com’s great information for races coast to coast, but The Handicapper’s Edge also provides top information for international racing, including Timeform, Daily Selections on selected days, and FREE American-style past performances with Class Ratings.
- Timeform ($10) is the European standard when it comes to rating a horse’s performance on class and speed, and each day’s product includes ratings and commentary for each runner.
- Brisnet.com’s International PPs (free) include the proprietary Class Ratings, which is a numerical measure of a horse’s performance in that race based on the competition’s performance in other races.
- Daily Selections ($7) is available for special events such as the Dubai World Cup, Royal Ascot, Champions Day, and the Epsom Derby. It provides analysis of top contenders in each race as well as best bets for the card.
What is the Investec Derby?
It is Britain's richest horse race, and the most important
of the country's five Classics. The race serves as the middle leg of the Triple
Crown, preceded by the 2,000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger.
Where is the Investec Derby?
Epsom Downs Racecourse
When is the Investec Derby?
The Investec Derby is on Saturday, June 1