The Ultimate Test
This week sees one of my four
“must not miss” meetings as most eyes in the racing world focus on Epsom
Downs for The Oaks and The Derby.
The other three “must not miss” meetings are, by the
way, Cheltenham, Royal Ascot and Arc Weekend at Longchamp.
I have to fess up here and say The Derby has not
always been a favourite race of mine but being of a certain age I am now
in position where I am allowed to modify my views and for me it is now the
supreme test for a horse on the flat. A race which, in its own way, is as
demanding for the three year old colts as the Grand National is for
seasoned handicap chasers.
In days of yore I used to spend Derby Day on The
Hill, partly because it was free but even when I could afford to go to the
main enclosures I still stuck with The Hill, not least because of the
incredible buzz and atmosphere, even though viewing was restricted to the
big screen.
Another advantage of being on The Hill is you can
stroll to the start and see the top thoroughbreds
prior to the race. Having been to
the start of many races the atmosphere before The Derby is different. The
usual banter is absent, even the usually exuberant Dettori is unusually
quiet and contemplative. When the gates swing open the sheer horsepower is
clearly evident.
Now Derby Day is a working day for me and I have even
developed my own ritual on the day.
I ensure I am at the track by 8:30 in the morning and
after a hearty breakfast I set off for what is now the most important part
of the day for me, walking the course.
There is a surreal feeling walking across the near
deserted Downs at 9:00 on Derby Day, it is difficult to imagine that in a
few hours time there will be around 100,000 people, hopefully, enjoying
the day.
Soon I am at the end of the racetrack and the only
clue as to the importance of the position is a sign which reads “1½ Miles,
Derby and Oaks Start, 2400 metres” .
Looking
round you can see the course rising into the distance but even then you do
not fully appreciate how difficult the course actually is. The first 3½
furlongs of the course is a steady uphill climb but it isn’t until you
actually begin to walk it that you realise just how tough a climb it is.
Now I love walking – I will walk all day, however by
the time I reach the top of the climb I invariably find my calf muscles
beginning to tighten and beads of perspiration forming in places I do not
want beads of perspiration forming and that is only going at a sedate
pace.
By the mile pole the angle of ascent has decreased to
a gentle incline, flattening out by the seven pole before a gentle left
hand swing and finally a chance for the runners to get some breath into
their lungs before beginning the descent for home.
The descent begins gently just after the six furlong
marker, the speed increases but it isn’t going to get any easier as they
head towards Tattenham Corner, jostling for position and the straight
opens up before them.
A
wide open expanse but this is no ordinary straight, the infamous camber
will result in the unwary or unbalanced being pulled towards the far-side
rail as if being pulled by some irresistible force.
Walking the course early morning there is an eerie
quietness, come the race the horses will be meeting a wall of sound like
they have never heard before, as the entire straight is lined on both
sides by the shouting, cheering crowds.
It takes me about 35 minutes to walk the course, for
the winner glory comes some 2½ minutes after the gate opens – running into
the record books as winner of The Derby.
For me, after walking the course, a couple of bottles
of water and a sit down. For
winning connections, after the race, financial
rewards and glory, for the winning horse the prospect of a life at stud.
For those who were there plenty of memories to take
home.
The Derby, The Oaks and Coronation Cup are all hard
races run on a very difficult course.
Can you imagine if Epsom came along today, as a new
racecourse?
Do you think they would actually be granted a licence
to race with such a testing, idiosyncratic track?
The answer is probably no but fortunately the course
came along a long time before ‘elf and safety rules and overpowering
officialdom.
As a result we have a race which is the ultimate test
of the horse and horsemanship and long may it remain that way.