Epsom was originally prepared by boiling down mineral waters which sprung at Epsom. The town's market is built on the pond that existed in the Middle Ages. Within the centuries-old boundaries is Epsom Downs Racecourse which features two of the five English Classic horse races; "The Derby" and "The Oaks", which were first run in 1780 and 1779 respectively. On 4 June 1913, Emily Davison, a militant women's suffrage activist, stepped in front of King George V's horse running in the Derby, sustaining fatal injuries. The British Prime Minister and first chairman of the London County Council, Lord Rosebery, was sent
1992 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes a field of eight runners: seven from the United Kingdom and one from Ireland. There were no challengers from continental Europe. The Irish-trained contender was St Jovite, who had finished second in the Epsom Derby before winning the Irish Derby by twelve lengths in record time. Michael Stoute's Newmarket stable sent three runners: the Coronation Cup winner Saddler's Hall, the Brigadier Gerard Stakes winner Opera House and the five-year-old Rock Hopper, twice winner of the Hardwicke Stakes and runner-up to Generous in the 1991 King George. The other contenders were Silver Wisp (third in the Epsom Derby), Jeune (Predominate Stakes,