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Horse racing history - Origin on the word "Derby" & NHL Connection


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    Since, horse racing is all I can seem to think about today, I've been doing a bit of reading. I found some interesting information, as well as a funny coincidence. First off, let's get to the origin of the word, Derby. In 1700's, Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby held a dinner party at his estate. He and his friends planned a horse race, won the following year by his own horse, Bridget. At the celebration of the win, a similar race was proposed and Derby had a coin toss with Sir Charles Bunbury for the honour of naming the race. Derby won, resulting in the race being named the Derby Stakes. Horse races have been named after the Derby estate since.

    Just think what would have happened if Bunbury won the coin toss. I suppose we would be calling it the Kentucky Bunbury today. Thankfully, that didn't happen, Derby has a better ring to it, I think.

    Ok, last but not least. The last name of Stanley seems to pop up a few times in sports history. Here we go. Fredrick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, later known as Lord Stanley of Preston, was famous for buying and donating the Stanley Cup, which would become the official championship trophy of the NHL. He was Edward Smith-Stanley's(Remember, the guy 'Derby' was named after) great grandson.

    Didn't see that one coming. Oh yeah, and they were all Freemasons. I smell a conspiracy. :)

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    And all this time I just assumed 'derby' was some obscure racing term, meaning race track or something. Funny how the rich legacy their names over all the place.
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    Check this out:

    Stanley Cup to be in Nyquist's barn Saturday as motivation for Kentucky Derby

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    Dallasite Wrote:

    Check this out:

    Stanley Cup to be in Nyquist's barn Saturday as motivation for Kentucky Derby

    Nice catch, Dallasite.