Kiplingcotes Derby

Kiplingcotes Derby (also spelt Kipling Cotes), run at Kiplingcotes in the East Riding of Yorkshire, is widely accepted to be the oldest annual horse race in the English sporting calendar. It reputedly began in 1519 and takes place on the third Thursday in March, often in exceptionally adverse weather conditions. The 500th race took place on 21 March 2019.[1] The 2020 event was kept going by just two riders and their horses (Ferkin and Harry) because of the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve the race.[2]

Kiplingcotes Finishing Post

One quirk of the ancient rules means that the second place rider often receives more in prize money than the winner. It is run, not over a typical modern racecourse, but partly along the wide verge of a roadside. A clerk is paid 5 shillings (25p) annually for maintaining it.

Location

Kiplingcotes is a small hamlet close to Market Weighton, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The Derby starts near to the former Kiplingcotes railway station and finishes at Londesborough Wold Farm.

Races
Number Year Date Ref
490th 2009 19 March [3]
491st 2010 18 March [4]
492nd 2011 17 March [5]
493rd 2012 15 March [6]
494th 2013 21 March [7]
495th 2014 20 March [8]
496th 2015 19 March [9]
497th 2016 17 March [10]
498th 2017 16 March

[11]

499th 2018 15 March [Note 1][12]
500th 2019 21 March [1]
501st 2020 19 March [Note 2][2]

Rules
  • The course takes in 4 miles (6.4 km) of arduous farm track and field.
  • Riders must weigh in at 10 stone (140 lb; 64 kg) (excluding saddle).
  • Horses of any age can be ridden.
  • All those wishing to enter must gather by the starting post by 11 a.m. on the morning of the Derby.
  • The winner receives the sum of £50, but the rider finishing second receives the remainder of the total of the entry fees.
  • The rules also state that if the race is not run one year, then it must never be run again.

During the harsh winter of 1947, no one was daring enough to take part, and so one local farmer took it upon himself to lead a lone horse around the course, ensuring that the historic race would survive.[13] During the 2001 UK foot-and-mouth crisis the race was once again reduced to one horse and rider.[14] In 2018 the race was cancelled after the course was waterlogged, and again a single horse was led round the course.[12]

Notes
  1. Race was cancelled due to dangerous conditions (a waterlogged course with deep water-filled wheel ruts). A horse was walked round the course to preserve the race.
  2. Race was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic. A horse was walked round the course to preserve the race.

References
  1. "Kiplingcotes Derby: Oldest horse race celebrates 500th anniversary". BBC News. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
  2. "Coronavirus: Kiplingcotes Derby horse race cancelled". BBC News. BBC. 17 March 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  3. "Maisey triumphs at Kiplingcotes Derby - England's oldest horse race". Beverley Guardian. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 19 March 2008. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  4. "The 'Local' Race - The Kiplingcotes Derby. The 491st Race, 18th March 2010". Wicstun. 24 March 2010. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  5. "The 'Local' Race - The Kiplingcotes Derby. The 492nd Race, 17th March 2011". Wicstun. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
  6. "The 'Local' Race - The Kiplingcotes Derby. The 493rd Race, 15th March 2012". Wicstun. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
  7. "The 'Local' Race - The Kiplingcotes Derby. The 494th Race, 21st March 2013". Wicstun. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  8. "The 'Local' Race - The Kiplingcotes Derby. The 495th Race, 20th March 2014". Wicstun. 27 March 2014. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  9. "England's oldest horse race gallops through Yorkshire". Country Life. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  10. "Kiplingcotes Derby winner 'never been so scared'". BBC News. 17 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  11. "Under starter's orders... for UK's oldest horse race". ITV News. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  12. "Famous Kiplingcotes Derby is abandoned due to waterlogged course". Pocklington News. 14 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  13. Ellerington, Alison (1989). The Kiplingcotes Derby. Hyperion Books. ISBN 978-0-948929-32-8.
  14. Ross, Alex (20 March 2015). "Double joy for Kiplingcoates Derby couple". Gazette & Herald. Retrieved 22 March 2016.

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