1913 Epsom Derby stirrup. Davison was knocked to the ground; some reports say she was kicked in the head by Anmer, but the surgeon who operated on Davison stated that "I could find no trace of her having been kicked by a horse". The event was captured on three news cameras. Davison's purpose in attending the Derby and walking onto the course is unclear. She did not discuss her plans with anyone or leave a note. Several theories have been suggested, including that she intended to cross the track, believing that all horses had passed; that she wanted to pull down the King's
Emily Davison contained a heavy socialist presence in appreciation of her support for the cause. In 1968 a one-act play written by Joice Worters, "Emily", was staged in Northumberland, focusing on the use of violence against the women's campaign. Davison is the subject of an opera, "Emily" (2013), by the British composer Tim Benjamin, and of "Emily Davison", a song by the American rock singer Greg Kihn. Davison also appears as a supporting character in the 2015 film "Suffragette", in which she is portrayed by Natalie Press. Her death and funeral form the climax of the film. In January 2018 the cantata