When the Derby was so nearly called Bunbury...

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

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

Rose? Maybe. But the Derby with any other name would not sound right, would it?

Just imagine that this Sunday you are planning to go to the Mahalaxmi racecourse to attend the greatest racing event of 2011, and it's not called the Indian Derby, but the Indian Bunbury instead ufffd how would you feel?

But mind you, that's precisely 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. The story dates back to more than two centuries and a quarter ago. In the second half of the 18th century England, two friends ufffd Lord Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury ufffd took very active interest in horse racing. 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 wished the race be named after himself. Finally, they decided to settle the matter with the toss of a coin.

Lord Derby won the toss, and that's the reason why, this Sunday at the Mahalaxmi racetrack, you will be attending the Derby, and not Bunbury.

So if, like every race lover, the word 'Derby' evokes the imagery of splendour, grandeur and a unique mix of fashion, glamour and the 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 ufffd thank Lord Derby for winning that toss more than two centuries ago!

And yes, there's no need to feel sorry for Lord Bunbury, who lost the toss because his name is already immortalised in the Derby scroll of honour as he won the inaugural Derby on May 4, 1780 with a horse named Diomed.

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