The Market Weighton Town Crier

The Kiplingcotes Derby

The 487th Race will take place on 16th March 2006

The Kiplingcotes Derby is said to be the oldest flat race in England, dating back to 1519, but it was not until 1669 that it became an endowed race thus ensuring its future. It traditionally takes place on the third Thursday in March and is a challenge to all who take part, whether riders or spectators, as the weather can be very unkind at this time of the year.

Starts at an old stone post on the grass verge in the parish of Etton, not far from the old Kiplingcotes railway station near Market Weighton, and finishing at Londesborough Wold Farm.  The finishing post is on an unclassified road signposted Warter between the A614 and the village of Warter.

Riders must be weighed in by 11am.   At approx 12 noon riders canter from the finishing post to the start approx 4 miles away.

Spectators traditionally collect at the finishing post to see the weighing-in, the reading of the rules, and the riders leaving for the start, then await the arrival of the winners.  Because of the geography of the course and the lack of direct roads it is not possible to see the start of the race and then drive to the finishing post before the riders complete the race.

Spectators should aim to be at the finishing post at 10 am.

More details here: The Kiplingcotes Derby

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First Posted : 26 February, 2006
Last revision : 27 February, 2006