History of saffron Gâtinais, Normandy, Périgord, Poitou, Provence, and Quercy. Its mysterious decline started during the 18th century, possibly due to pandemic fungal diseases destroying bulbs and crops, to particularly cold winters, and to competing market from the Mediterranean countries. In England, cultivation "persisted" only in the light, well-drained, and chalk-based soils of the north Essex countryside. The Essex town of Saffron Walden got its name as a saffron growing and trading centre; its name was originally Cheppinge Walden, and the culinary name change was effected to punctuate the importance of the crop to the townsfolk; the town's arms still feature blooms from
Saffron Walden (horse) O'Brien commented "He's a lovely horse and I think the Derby is next. We were worried about his stamina, being a half-brother to a very fast horse, and today was a bit of a test" while Pesler said Peslier "He was only getting going at the end, if there had been further to run, he would have won further." On 5 June Saffron Walden started the 8/1 fifth choice in the betting for the 1999 Epsom Derby over one and a half miles at Epsom Racecourse. After being restrained at the rear of the field by Kinane he made some