Great explanation by a former winning jockey at the English Derby of the challenges and strategies that go into racing at Epsom in the English Derby. For the average viewer the grass turf looks “flat” but he makes you realize just how different English racing is from most of U.S. racing, especially in this testing journey.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/videos/video-interviews-top-riders/walk-epsom-derby-course-video
Here’s a another with helmet cam footage and commentary by jockey John Reid… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3KSS732DV8
Such a unique course… right hand turn, left hand turn, uphill, steep downhill, sharp turn into the straight, significant camber on the course in the stretch, uphill to the finish line.
It has thrown off more than a few horses, and jockeys, in it’s time.
And more than the testing course and the balance and stamina it requires, the horses have a long walk across the downs from the paddock to the start and that can be an additional test of temperament.
[QUOTE=Willesdon;8692504]
And more than the testing course and the balance and stamina it requires, the horses have a long walk across the downs from the paddock to the start and that can be an additional test of temperament.[/QUOTE]
Yes, they pretty much, gallop/canter/trot/walk the full 1-1/2 miles down to the start.
A few years ago Jim Bolger was given special permission to have have the fractious New Approach ponied down to the start. It was controversial at the time and other trainers complained, as it meant for quite the delay as he was ponied at a walk the full 1-1/2 miles, while the other horses circled around waiting behind the starting stalls. The were even more annoyed after he won the race.
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