Editing Epsom (section)

===Horse racing===
[[File:Jean Louis Théodore Géricault 001.jpg|thumb|right|''[[The 1821 Derby at Epsom]]'' (1821) by [[Théodore Géricault]]]]
{{Main|Epsom Downs Racecourse}}
The earliest horse races on Epsom Downs are thought to have been held in the early 17th century, during the reign of [[James VI and I|James I]]. By the time of the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], the sport was sufficiently popular and well known that, in May 1648, [[cavalier|royalist]] forces were able to assemble on the Downs under the pretence of organising a race, before marching together to [[Reigate]]. Following the Restoration of the monarchy, there was a further increase in the popularity of racing as Epsom became established as a spa town.<ref name=Home_1901_pp108-109>{{harvnb|Home|1901|pp=108–109}}</ref>

The Irish philosopher, [[John Toland]], noted the suitability of the Downs for sport, writing in 1711 that the land was "covered with grass finer than Persian carpets… for sheep-walks, riding, hunting, racing, shooting, with games of most sorts for exercise of the body or recreation of the mind… they are no where else to be paralleled".<ref name=Abdy_2001_p90>{{harvnb|Abdy|2001|p=90}}</ref> The earliest formal races were run on an uphill course from [[Carshalton]] to Epsom and were primarily a test of stamina rather than speed.<ref name=Abdy_2001_p90/> By the mid-18th century a 4-mile straight course had been established, starting at Banstead and finishing at the top of the Downs at Epsom. Heats were run in the mornings, before a break for lunch, which was followed by the final run offs in the late afternoon.<ref name=Hunn_1973_p40>{{harvnb|Hunn|1973|p=40}}</ref>

[[File:Diomed by John Nost Sartorius 1777.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Diomed]]'' by [[John Nost Sartorius]] (1755–1828). Diomed was the winner of [[1780 Epsom Derby|the first Derby in 1780]].]]
[[Epsom Oaks|The Oaks]] was established in 1779 and was named after the residence of the [[Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby|12th Earl of Derby]] at Banstead.<ref name=Home_1901_pp111-112>{{harvnb|Home|1901|pp=111–112}}</ref> The race, for three-year-old [[filly|fillies]], was shorter than those that had taken place in previous years and was run over a {{convert|1+1/2|mi|km|adj=on}} course. [[Epsom Derby|The Derby]] was first run the following year, as a shorter race of {{cvt|1|mi|km}} for three-year-old [[colt (horse)|colts]],<ref name=Hunn_1973_p45>{{harvnb|Hunn|1973|p=45}}</ref> but was increased to {{cvt|1+1/2|mi|km}} in 1784.<ref name=Brannan_2004_p6>{{harvnb|Brannan|2004|p=6}}</ref> As early as 1793, the crowds associated with Derby Day were causing congestion on local roads and, in 1843, more than 127,000 people attended the race. Formal royal patronage began in 1840 with the visit of [[Queen Victoria]] and horses owned by her son, [[Edward VII]], won the event in 1896, 1900 and 1909.<ref name=Abdy_2001_p95>{{harvnb|Abdy|2001|p=95}}</ref> The world's first [[live broadcast|live]] [[outside broadcasting|outside broadcast]] was filmed at the 1931 Derby by the [[John Logie Baird|Baird Television Company]].<ref name=Hunn_1973_p141>{{harvnb|Hunn|1973|p=141}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://eehe.org.uk/?p=28911 |title=The first outside television broadcast: The Epsom Derby, 1931 |last=Winfield |first=Nick |date=July 2014 |publisher=Epsom & Ewell History Explorer |access-date=9 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709202011/https://eehe.org.uk/?p=28911 |url-status=live}}</ref>

During the [[1913 Epsom Derby|1913 Derby]], the [[suffragette]], [[Emily Davison]], [[Emily Davison#Fatal injury at the Derby|sustained fatal injuries]] after being hit by [[King George V]]'s horse, Anmer.<ref name=Tanner_2013_pp214-215>{{harvnb|Tanner|2013|pp=214–215}}</ref> The incident occurred at Tattenham Corner, the final curve before the finishing straight, after she ducked under the [[guard rail]] and ran onto the course.<ref name=Tanner_2013_pp214-215/> Davison was knocked unconscious and was taken to Epsom Cottage Hospital, where she died four days later on 8 June 1913.<ref name=Morley_1988_p103>{{harvnb|Morley|Stanley|1988|p=103}}</ref><ref name=Tanner_2013_pp284-285>{{harvnb|Tanner|2013|pp=284–285}}</ref> The inquest into her death took place at Epsom on 10 June.<ref>{{harvnb|Tanner|2013|p=287}}</ref><ref>{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Suffragist Outrage at the Derby: Verdict of Misadventure |date=11 June 1913 |page=15 |issue=40235}}</ref> A road close to Tattenham Corner is named "Emily Davison Drive" in her honour<ref>{{harvnb|Fisher|2018|p=221}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://eehe.org.uk/?p=25513 |title=Emily Davison (1872-1913) |last=Painter |first=Janet |date=November 2011 |publisher=Epsom & Ewell History Explorer |access-date=16 August 2021 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816100727/https://eehe.org.uk/?p=25513 |url-status=live}}</ref> and a statue of the suffragette was installed in Epsom High Street in June 2021.<ref name=Orlando_2021>{{cite news |last=Orlando |first=Jenkinson |date=8 June 2021 |title=Emily Davison statue unveiled in Epsom |url=https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/19357342.emily-davison-statue-unveiled-epsom/ |work=Surrey Comet |access-date=9 June 2021 |archive-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622160255/https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/19357342.emily-davison-statue-unveiled-epsom/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The first permanent building on Epsom Downs is thought to have been a rubbing house, where horses could be brushed down and washed after racing. Parts of the Rubbing House pub, which now occupies the site, date from 1801.<ref name=Wakefield_1997_p8>{{harvnb|Wakefield|1997|p=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rubbinghouse.com |title=The Rubbing House |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=14 June 2021 |publisher=The Rubbing House |access-date=9 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709200518/https://www.rubbinghouse.com/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Until the early 19th century, facilities for race attendees were limited to temporary wood and canvas structures and construction of the first [[grandstand]] did not begin until 1829.<ref name=Wakefield_1997_p8/><ref name="Abdy_2001_p103">{{harvnb|Abdy|2001|p=103}}</ref> The Queen's Stand, which incorporates a conference centre, was completed in 1992<ref name=Wakefield_1997_p8/><ref name="Abdy_2001_p103"/> and the current grandstand was opened in 2009.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Not stated--> |orig-date=22 April 2009 |date=2 July 2013 |title=Duchess opens new racecourse stand |url=https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/duchess-opens-new-racecourse-stand-4824618 |work=Surrey Live |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718111551/https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/local-news/duchess-opens-new-racecourse-stand-4824618 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.architecture.com/find-an-architect/roberts-limbrick-ltd/gloucester/the-duchess39s-stand-epsom-downs-racecourse |title=The Duchess's Stand, Epsom Downs Racecourse |author=<!--Not stated--> |publisher=RIBA |access-date=18 July 2021 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718111538/https://www.architecture.com/find-an-architect/roberts-limbrick-ltd/gloucester/the-duchess39s-stand-epsom-downs-racecourse |url-status=live}}</ref>