1980 Epsom Derby


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The 1980 Epsom Derby was the 201st annual running of the Derby horse race. It took place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 4 June 1980.
The race was won by Etti Plesch's American bred Henbit at odds of 7/1. Ridden by Willie Carson and trained at West Ilsley by Dick Hern, Henbit would be the second Derby winner in two years for the trainer/jockey duo. While the winning margin of just three quarters of a length was unremarkable, that Henbit returned with a fractured cannon bone in his off-fore leg, thought to have occurred a furlong and a half from the finish led his trainer to describe him as a "very brave horse". Furthermore, the winning time of 2:34.77 was the fastest since Nijinsky won in 1970.

Race details

Sponsor: noneWinner's prize money: £166,820Going: FastNumber of runners: 24Winner's time: 2 minutes, 34.77 seconds

Winner details

Further details of the winner, Henbit:Foaled: 28 March 1977, in AmericaSire: Hawaii; Dam: Chateaucreek Owner: Etti PleschBreeder: Helen Drake Jones

Form analysis

Two-year-old races

Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1979:
Blast Off - 2nd in Prix GreffulheBozovici - 2nd in Seaton Delaval StakesBraughing - 3rd in Gimcrack StakesHello Gorgeous - 1st in Futurity Stakes, 1st in Royal Lodge StakesMaster Willie - 2nd in Acomb StakesMoomba Masquerade - 3rd in Futurity StakesMonteverdi – 1st in National Stakes, 1st in Dewhurst StakesNoble Shamus – 1st in Railway Stakes, 3rd in National StakesRankin - 1st in Solario StakesRibo Charter – 3rd in Prix de CondéStar Way - 1st in Chesham Stakes, 2nd in Royal Lodge Stakes, 3rd in Seaton Delaval StakesTyrnavos - 2nd in Dewhurst Stakes, 1st in Roberre Trophy Stakes Water Mill - 2nd in Horris Hill Stakes

The road to Epsom

Early-season appearances in 1980 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:
Garrido - 1st in Derby ItalianoHello Gorgeous - 1st in Dante StakesHenbit - 1st in Guardian Classic Trial, 1st in Chester VaseJulius Caesar - 1st in Prix NoaillesMaster Willie - 1st in Easter Stakes, 2nd in Dante StakesMonteverdi – 2nd in Greenham Stakes, 2nd in McCairns Trial StakesMoomba Masquerade - 2nd in Chester VaseNikoli - 1st in Irish 2000 Guineas, 1st in McCairns Trial StakesPelerin - 1st in Glasgow StakesRankin - 2nd in Predominate StakesRibo Charter - 2nd in Lingfield Derby TrialRunning Mill - 1st in Heath StakesSaint Jonathon - 1st in Roseberry StakesStar Way - 2nd in Craven StakesTyrnavos - 1st in Craven StakesWater Mill - 3rd in Dante Stakes

Subsequent Group 1 wins

Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Master Willie - Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes Pelerin - Grosser Preis von Baden Tyrnavos – Irish Derby

Subsequent breeding careers

Leading progeny of participants in the 1980 Epsom Derby.

Stallions of Classic winners


Star Way Exported to New Zealand - Sire of 18 Group One winners

Stallions of Group/Grade One winners


Master Willie

Stallions of National Hunt horses


Henbit
Julius Caesar

Other Stallions


Tyrnavos - Dihistan, Andrios, Akaaleel, Tartamuda
Hello Gorgeous - Libertine, Franco Forte - later exported to Brazil
Monteverdi - Exported to America - Exported to Venevuela - Concert Hall, Laird Of Montrose
Nikoli - Exported to America - Exported to Uruguay - Air Display
Water Mill - Exported to Australia - Innocent Lady
Moomba Masquerade - Exported to South Africa
Saint Johnathon - Exported to Australia
Prince Spruce - Exported to Italy
Blast Off - Exported to Venezuela
Noble Shamus - Exported to America
Running Mill - Exported to Turkey
Marcello - Exported to Argentina