History
For a period the Blue Riband Trial Stakes was contested over 1 mile and 110 yards. It was given Group 3 status when the present system of race grading was introduced in 1971. It was relegated to Listed level in 1986, and it later became an ungraded conditions race.
The Blue Riband Trial Stakes was discontinued for several years in the mid 1990s. It returned in 1997, and from this point its distance was 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards. The race was cut to its present length, 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 18 yards, in 1999.
The banking group Investec, the sponsor of the Epsom Derby since 2009, began to sponsor this race in 2010. It is now titled the Investec Derby Trial.
The event serves as an early-season trial for the Derby (sometimes referred to as flat racing's "Blue Riband"), which is held at the same venue in early June. The last horse to achieve victory in both races was Blue Peter in 1939.
Read more about this topic: Investec Derby Trial
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