Glory Days at Epsom: Five Unforgettable Epsom Derby Moments Revisited
The Epsom Derby. The crown jewel of the Flat racing season. A race steeped in history, drama and the kind of spine-tingling finishes that have punters reaching for the rewind button and bookmakers reaching for the payout slips. With the 2025 renewal fast approaching, it seems the perfect time to take a nostalgic wander down memory lane, guided by the eccentric, emotional and occasionally absurd spectacles the Derby has delivered over the years.
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1989: Nashwan’s Year of Domination
If 1989 belonged to anyone, it was Nashwan. From the moment he floated across the West Ilsley gallops that spring, those in the know were suddenly very much in the know. What began as whispers of potential soon erupted into full-blown Classic fever. After storming to Guineas glory, the chestnut colt turned up at Epsom to silence any doubters still murmuring about his stamina.
The chief threat came in the form of Cacoethes, Guy Harwood’s Lingfield trial winner, who attempted the bold move of kicking for home early. For a moment, it looked as though Willie Carson on Nashwan might just be in a spot of bother. But then came that unforgettable side-on camera shot. The instant you saw Nashwan’s stride begin to lengthen, the contest was essentially over.
He surged clear with something bordering on disdain. Even a late rattle from 250/1 outsider Terimon – who turned out to be no slouch himself – couldn’t put a dent in the margin. It was a Derby of dominance, authority, and raw class. Nashwan would shine again in the Eclipse and King George, but Epsom was his coming-of-age party. And what a guest list it was.
2002: High Chaparral v Hawk Wing – The Stable Brawl
Fast forward to 2002 and the build-up resembled the prelude to a heavyweight boxing match. Two Ballydoyle bruisers, each with distinct styles. Hawk Wing, the dashing dancer with the mile speed; High Chaparral, the relentless grinder built for war.
Early punters were torn between the two, but by race day, the support was coming in thick for Hawk Wing, partnered with stable jockey Michael Kinane. Meanwhile, Johnny Murtagh – already a Derby winner aboard Sinndar – had the task of steering High Chaparral.
What unfolded was a Derby thriller scripted to perfection. The race unfolded at a solid gallop, and it was High Chaparral who made the first serious move, charging down the hill like a locomotive. Hawk Wing loomed large but failed to match the finishing power of his stablemate. Murtagh kept finding, Kinane went quiet, and Ballydoyle were left celebrating and second-guessing in equal measure.
The aftermath saw Hawk Wing’s Derby credentials thrown into the long grass, although he did produce a legendary Lockinge performance the following year. Meanwhile, High Chaparral went on to sweep up Classics and globe-trotting riches. But for Epsom folklore, nothing topped their Derby day duel.
2007: Authorized and Frankie’s Fairytale Ending
There are certain Derby wins that feel inevitable. Authorized’s in 2007 was one of them. Well-fancied and carrying the weight of a nation’s favourite jockey on his back, the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained colt was the latest son of Montjeu with a serious air of authority.
Frankie Dettori, then still frustratingly Derby-less after 14 previous attempts, finally had a horse good enough – and boy, did it show. Sent off 5/4 favourite, Authorized’s path through the race was smoother than a silk bedsheet.
Dettori glided around Tattenham Corner as if he were being chauffeured. Into the straight, the horse’s tongue flapping with delightful looseness, Dettori said “go” and the response was emphatic. Eagle Mountain was made to look like a plodder as Authorized stormed five lengths clear, finally handing Frankie the Derby trophy he so desperately craved.
It was the kind of performance that has punters wondering why they didn’t go all-in. And for those who love their racing seasoned with a bit of sentimentality, it was utterly unforgettable.
2009: Sea The Stars – Too Classy, Too Easy
Some horses carry an aura. Sea The Stars had enough of it to fill the entire Downs. Arriving at Epsom in 2009 after conquering the 2,000 Guineas, he faced stiff competition from Ballydoyle’s Fame And Glory, a colt many saw as the quintessential Derby type.
But once the stalls opened, there was little room for argument. Though not favourite – that honour went to the Ballydoyle battalions – Sea The Stars travelled with the poise of a seasoned professional. When asked to quicken, he did so with zero fuss, powering past Fame And Glory with something to spare.
The winning margin – just under two lengths – wasn’t extravagant. But it was the style, the composure, the ease that made it a standout. Sea The Stars was that rare thoroughbred who made winning one of the toughest races in the world look like a school sports day.
The rest of his career? Glorious. Irish Champion Stakes, Arc, and the sort of Timeform rating (140) that sees him rubbing shoulders with legends. But it all came together first at Epsom.
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2011: Pour Moi and Barzalona’s Iconic Madness
It wasn’t the strongest Derby field of all time. In fact, the 2011 edition was somewhat overshadowed by the astonishing antics of a certain Frankel earlier in the season. But what it lacked in quality, it made up for in chaos – and one of the most extraordinary rides in Derby history.
Pour Moi, trained in France by Andre Fabre, had the raw ability but was still a question mark over the unique Epsom test. His jockey? A fresh-faced, nineteen-year-old Mickael Barzalona who clearly hadn’t read the manual on how to behave in a Classic.
Trailing the field into the straight, Pour Moi still had plenty of work to do. But as Barzalona plotted a path through tiring rivals, it became clear something special might be unfolding. And then it happened.
With a half-furlong still to go, and his horse only just edging into the lead, Barzalona stood bolt upright in the irons, whip in hand, celebrating like he’d just won the lottery. It was reckless, unnecessary, and absolutely magnificent.
He could have cost himself the race. He could’ve been remembered as the young mug who threw the Derby away. But instead, the timing was perfect. Pour Moi crossed the line a short-head in front, and Barzalona cemented his legacy with one of the sport’s most iconic moments.
Final Thoughts: Free Bets, Flared Nostalgia, and Derby Dreams
The Epsom Derby isn’t just about class and speed – it’s about moments. Moments that lodge themselves into the memory, spark arguments in pubs, and make punters sigh wistfully decades later. Whether it’s the cool dominance of Nashwan, the emotional relief of Frankie, or the glorious madness of Barzalona, Derby Day delivers in a way few other sporting events can.
And with this year’s renewal just around the corner, there’s no better time to get involved – especially with bookmakers offering a vast range of UK free bets and other promotions in the lead-up to the big event. With free bet bonuses and potential fairytales in the making, it’s the ideal excuse to relive past glories while hoping to catch the next great Derby chapter as it unfolds.
