Kris Kin but he recovered quickly after treatment and was allowed to run. At Epsom, the colt was strongly supported, being backed down from 14-1 to 6-1 on the course, with the money reportedly coming from ordinary members of the public rather than professional gamblers. He started the race as fourth favourite behind three Irish-trained colts, Refuse To Bend, Alamshar and Brian Boru. Ridden for the first time by Kieren Fallon, Kris Kin seemed to be struggling in the early stages, and turned into the straight in eighth place. As at Chester, he began to make rapid progress after being switched to
1780 Epsom Derby race itself "fairly caught hold on the public imagination." It became the premier British classic and many of the world's top championship races were named after it. Further details of the winner, Diomed: 1780 Epsom Derby The 1780 Epsom Derby was the inaugural running of The Derby – the horse race which would become the "greatest turf event in the world" and after which more than 140 other horse races, including the famous Kentucky Derby, are named. It took place on 4 May 1780 on Epsom Downs in Surrey, England, and was won by Diomed, owned by Sir Charles Bunbury