Q 01/05

Legend says the Derby was named by a coin toss between Lord Derby and which racing figure?

A) Admiral Rous

B) Lord George Bentinck

C) Sir Charles Bunbury

D) Fred Archer

Answer · why

C) Sir Charles Bunbury

Sir Charles Bunbury was Steward of the Jockey Club and may simply have deferred to his host, the 12th Earl of Derby, with no coin involved; either way...

Q 02/05

Which horse won the inaugural running of the Epsom Derby in 1780?

A) Eclipse

B) Highflyer

C) Herod

D) Diomed

Answer · why

D) Diomed

Diomed won the first Derby, then in his twenties was sold and shipped to Virginia, where he became one of the foundation sires of American racing.

Q 03/05

What is the approximate distance of the Epsom Derby?

A) 1 mile, 1 furlong

B) 1 mile, 2 furlongs

C) 1 mile, 4 furlongs

D) 1 mile, 6 furlongs

Answer · why

C) 1 mile, 4 furlongs

1 mile, 4 furlongs has been the trip only since 1784: the first four Derbys were dashes over the last mile of the old course.

Q 04/05

The city of Derby, known for its industrial heritage, is located in which English county?

A) Nottinghamshire

B) Derbyshire

C) Staffordshire

D) Leicestershire

Answer · why

B) Derbyshire

Derby is a cathedral city and unitary authority area located on the River Derwent in the heart of Derbyshire, England.

Q 05/05

Which railway company made Derby its engineering headquarters after its 1844 formation?

A) Midland Railway

B) Great Northern Railway

C) London and North Western Railway

D) Midland Counties Railway

Answer · why

A) Midland Railway

The Midland Railway was created in 1844 by merging three companies whose lines met at Derby, the Midland Counties among them, so the junction town bec...