Derby Hall of Fame

Unveiling Wednesday 1 June, Market Place, Epsom

In 1780 Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, and his friend Sir Charles Bunbury spun a coin to determine whether a new horse race should be called the Derby Stakes or the Bunbury Stakes.

The Derby has been run in Epsom ever since (with a few exceptions to allow for world wars).

For many, the death of the suffragette Emily Davison at the Derby in 1913 is a defining moment. The statue of Davison added to Epsom Market Place during the recent renovations has drawn visitors from across the UK and further afield.

The Derby however is far more than one tragic event, and the council is to unveil a new feature in the Market Place celebrating the full history of quintessential horse race.

The Derby Hall of Fame was commissioned as part of the Market Place renovation to sit alongside the Davison and the Evocation of Speed statues. The installation of the Hall of Fame was parked as the council focused on the pandemic response and is now being installed as part of the Jubilee celebrations.

Showcasing iconic horses, trainers and jockeys, all of them, synonymous with racing the Derby, the Hall of Fame consists of roundels featuring artwork from graphic designer Richard Wolfstrome.

Commemorated are some of the most famous and recognisable names in horse racing history – including Alex Greaves, the first female jockey to compete in the Derby, Geoff Lewis, the first Epsom-based winner, as well as household names, such as Lester Piggott, Nijinsky, Shergar and many more.

This Hall of Fame will be a unique landmark that recognises the borough’s long-standing connection with one of the most famous horse races in the world, celebrating the borough’s rich culture and heritage.