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Trial races for the Epsom Derby
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Trial races for the Epsom Derby are horse races during April and May which are contested by three-year-olds likely to run in the Epsom Derby in early June.
Most Derby runners appear in at least one race in the weeks before the event, although some, such as the winners Lammtarra and Shaamit, may arrive at Epsom with no previous run as a three-year-old.
The leading trial of recent years has been the Dante Stakes, which has been contested by five subsequent winners of the Derby in the last twenty years. The table below shows all such races, presently classed at Listed level or above, which have included the Derby winner during the period 1989 to 2008.
| Race |
Derby winners from race 1989-2008 (won unless stated) |
| Feilden Stakes |
Erhaab (2nd) |
| Craven Stakes |
Dr Devious (2nd) |
| Ballysax Stakes |
Sinndar (2nd), Galileo, High Chaparral |
| Sandown Classic Trial |
Benny the Dip (2nd) |
| 2,000 Guineas |
Nashwan, Generous (4th), Sir Percy (2nd), New Approach (2nd) |
| Kentucky Derby |
Dr Devious (7th) |
| Chester Vase |
Quest for Fame (2nd) |
| Dee Stakes |
Oath, Kris Kin |
| Lingfield Derby Trial |
High-Rise |
| Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial |
Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral |
| Dante Stakes |
Erhaab, Benny the Dip, North Light, Motivator, Authorized |
| Glasgow Stakes |
Commander in Chief |
| Irish 2,000 Guineas |
New Approach (2nd) |
| Unraced as 3-y-o |
Lammtarra, Shaamit |
2008 Derby contenders
Notable early season appearances by horses which ran in the 2008 Epsom Derby.
References
- Racing Post race records of the last twenty Derby winners:
- 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
- 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
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