Lord Derby was quite a winner

'What's in a name?" was famously asked by Shakespeare. Those who agree with the bard of Avon quickly pointed out that a rose by any other name would still smell the same.

Lord Derby was quite a winner

'What's in a name?" was famously asked by Shakespeare. Those who agree with the bard of Avon quickly pointed out that a rose by any other name would still smell the same.

But the Derby with any other name would not sound right, right? Just imagine that next Sunday (April 12), you are planning to go to the Mahalaxmi racecourse to attend the greatest racing event of 2009, and it's not called Signature Derby, but Signature Bunsbury instead. How would you feel?

But, that's what it would have been called if Lord Derby of England had given a wrong call on a coin that was tossed up in the air to decide the name for this race.

In 1779, they decided to frame a race for three-year old colts and fillies over a straight mile at the Epsom racetrack (the distance of the race was increased to its present trip of a mile and a half after the famous Tattenham Corner was introduced in 1784).

Once the terms and the prize money were chalked up, it became clear this would turn out to be the most coveted race in terms of the prestige attached to it, and each of the two friends desired the race to be named after himself.

Toss ka boss
Finally, they decided to settle the matter with a toss of the coin. Lord Derby won the toss, and that's the reason why, on this Sunday at the Mahalaxmi racetrack, you will be attending the Signature Derby and not the Signature Bunsbury.

So if, like every race lover, the word 'Derby' invokes the imagery of splendour, grandeur and a unique mix of fashion, glamour and high life, and brings to your mind an indescribable emotion of larger-than-life experience of an exciting racing event, you know whom to thank for that imagery Lord Derby for winning that toss 230 years ago!

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels