1985 Epsom Derby


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The 1985 Epsom Derby was the 206th annual running of the Derby horse race. It took place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 5 June 1985.
The race was won by Lord Howard de Walden's Slip Anchor, at odds of 9/4 ridden by jockey Steve Cauthen and trained at Newmarket by Henry Cecil. The win was a first success in the race for owner, trainer and jockey. Cauthen became the first man to ride the winners of both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.

Race details

Sponsor: Ever ReadyWinner's prize money: £204,160Going: GoodNumber of runners: 14Winner's time: 2 minutes, 36.23 seconds

Winner details

Further details of the winner, Slip Anchor:Foaled: 15 April 1982, in United KingdomSire: Shirley Heights; Dam: Sayonara Owner: Lord Howard de WaldenBreeder: Lord Howard de Walden

Form analysis

Two-year-old races

Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1984:
Damister – 1st in Somerville Tattersall Stakes, 2nd in William Hill FuturityLanfranco – 1st in William Hill FuturityLaw Society – 1st in Anglesey Stakes, 1st in National Stakes, 2nd in Dewhurst StakesPetoski – 1st in Lanson Champagne Stakes, 3rd in Champagne StakesReach – 1st in Royal Lodge StakesRoyal Harmony – 2nd in Acomb Stakes, 3rd in Royal Lodge Stakes

The road to Epsom

Early-season appearances in 1985 and trial races prior to running in the Derby:
Damister – 2nd in Craven Stakes, 1st in Sandown Classic Trial, 1st in Dante StakesLanfranco – 1st in Predominate StakesLaw Society – 1st in Chester VasePetoski – 2nd in Sandown Classic Trial, 2nd in Chester VasePhardante – 2nd in Predominate StakesReach – 3rd in Dante StakesSeurat – 1st in Prix Jean de ChaudenayShadeed – 1st in Craven Stakes, 1st in 2,000 Guineas StakesSlip Anchor – 1st in Heathorn Stakes, 1st in Lingfield Derby TrialSupreme Leader – 3rd in 2,000 Guineas StakesTheatrical – 1st in Ballysax Stakes, 1st in Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial

Subsequent Group 1 wins

Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.
Petoski – King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Law Society – Irish Derby Theatrical – Hialeah Turf Cup Handicap, Man o' War Stakes, Turf Classic Invitational Stakes, Breeders' Cup Turf

Subsequent breeding careers

Leading progeny of participants in the 1985 Epsom Derby.

Sires of Classic winners


Slip Anchor
Theatrical
Shadeed
Damister

Sires of Group/Grade One winners


Law Society – Damsire of five classic winners – Scorpion, Love Divine, Manhattan Cafe, Moonstone and Brametot
Lanfranco
  • Ligeiro – 1st Auckland Cup
  • Super Franky – 1st Munster National

Sires of National Hunt horses


Supreme Leader
Phardante

Other stallions


Petoski – Night Petticoat, Mouseski
Reach – Minor flat and jumps winners – later exported to Japan
Seurat – Minor flat and jumps winners in France
Royal Harmony – Exported to Brazil