1997 Epsom Derby
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The 1997 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday 7 June 1997. It was the 218th running of the Derby, and it was won by Benny the Dip. The winner was ridden by Willie Ryan and trained by John Gosden. The pre-race favourite Entrepreneur finished fourth.
Race details
Sponsor: VodafoneWinner's prize money: £595,250Going: GoodNumber of runners: 13Winner's time: 2m 35.77sFull result
* The distances between the horses are shown in lengths or shorter. shd = short-head.† Trainers are based in Great Britain unless indicated.
Winner's details
Further details of the winner, Benny the Dip:Foaled: March 25, 1994, in Kentucky, USASire: Silver Hawk; Dam: Rascal Rascal Owner: Landon Knight and Claiborne FarmBreeder: Landon KnightRating in 1997 International Classifications: 126Form analysis
Two-year-old races
Notable runs by the future Derby participants as two-year-olds in 1996.Benny the Dip – 1st Royal Lodge Stakes, 3rd Racing Post TrophySilver Patriarch – 1st Zetland StakesFahris – 2nd Silver Tankard StakesSymonds Inn – 2nd Acomb Stakes, 3rd Silver Tankard StakesPapua – 5th Racing Post Trophy
The road to Epsom
Early-season appearances in 1997 and trial races prior to running in the Derby.Benny the Dip – 2nd Sandown Classic Trial, 1st Dante StakesSilver Patriarch – 3rd Sandown Classic Trial, 1st Lingfield Derby TrialRomanov – 3rd Irish 2,000 GuineasEntrepreneur – 1st 2,000 GuineasFahris – 1st Feilden StakesSymonds Inn – 1st Glasgow StakesMulsalsal – 3rd Dante StakesCloudings – 1st Prix de Courcelles, 1st Prix LupinSingle Empire – 1st Derby ItalianoCrystal Hearted – 5th Easter Stakes, 1st Dee StakesPapua – 3rd Easter Stakes, 2nd Blue Riband Trial Stakes, 4th Lingfield Derby Trial
Subsequent Group 1 wins
Group 1 / Grade I victories after running in the Derby.Silver Patriarch – St. Leger, Coronation Cup, Gran Premio del Jockey Club Single Empire – San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap
Subsequent breeding careers
Leading progeny of participants in the 1997 Epsom Derby.Sires of Classic winners
Entrepreneur - Shuttled to New Zealand, exported to Japan, exported to Russia
- Vintage Tipple - 1st Irish Oaks
- Damson - 1st Phoenix Stakes
- Berenson - 2nd National Stakes
- Marie Vision - Dam of The Grey Gatsby
Sires of National Hunt horses
Cloudings
- Many Clouds - 1st Grand National
- Cloudy Dream - 1st Future Champion Novices' Chase
- Cloudy Lane - 1st Peter Marsh Chase
- Cloudy Too - 1st Peter Marsh Chase
- Silver By Nature - 1st Grand National Trial
- Carrickboy - 1st Byrne Group Plate
- Kentford Grey Lady - 3rd Cleeve Hurdle
- Rimsky - 1st Persian War Novices' Hurdle
- Benny Be Good - 2nd "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle
- Unleash - 2nd Martell Cognac Beefeater Restaurants Handicap Hurdle
Other Stallions
Romanov - Exported to America - Exported to Argentina
Fahris - Fahrisee
Musalsal - Exported to Cyprus
Bold Demand - Exported to Saudi Arabia
Single Empire - Exported to Italy