 Or as Rice's History reported in 1879, "for some two hundred years the pursuit of Horse-racing has been attractive to more of our countrymen than any other out-door pastime"

At the end of the century the 12th Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury were key influencers in the sport.Under their auspices the Derby and Oaks were established at Epsom, inspired by the St Leger and the growing popularity of shorter races, for younger horses.These races, along with the Leger and the Guineas, became known as the Classics.