PHOTOS: The 2023 Kiplingcotes Derby

Jockey Jason Carver completed a long-held ambition to win the Kiplingcotes Derby as he romped to victory aboard Start Me Up in last Thursday’s 504th running of a race that claims to be the oldest in the world.

After finishing second and third, as well as suffering a serious injury, in his three previous attempts, Jason produced a perfect ride in testing conditions for both entrants and spectators who braved rain showers to cheer on the runners and riders.

A veteran of such races at the age of 20, Start Me Up and Jason can now boast victory in the Kiplingcotes Derby, the oldest race not held on an official racecourse, and a win in the Newmarket Town Plate, a race which is held on the Round Course at the home of British horseracing.

Despite heavy rain overnight, the linear course running from Etton to Londesborough Wold held up well, with no need for an inspection on the morning of the race.

The number of horses declared before the 11am cut-off totalled 20, an increase on last year, whilst hundreds of spectators lined the course to cheer on their favourite, many having placed a bet at the on-course bookmakers.

The bookies had made the experienced pair of Jason and Start Me Up among the favourites for the glistening Kiplingcotes Derby trophy and winnings of £50.

After a delayed start caused by some of the horses having trouble reaching the start line in the boggy conditions, cheers and applause were soon heard as Jason saluted the crowd before taking Start Me Up across the finish line.

Despite fulfilling his ambition, Jason has already confirmed that he’ll be bringing his veteran horse back for another go at winning the Derby in 2024.

“It was a very good feeling to come across the finish line in first place,” said Jason, who lives in Lincolnshire, but is originally from Yorkshire.

“We’ve had a second, a third and a broken collarbone in the past. This is the first time I’ve won the Kiplingcotes Derby but this horse has also won the Newmarket Town Plate with me twice, in 2013 and 2015.

“It has now won the oldest race on a racecourse and the oldest off a racecourse and it was an ambition of mine to complete the set.

“I was going to retire him, because he’s 20, but I’ll be back again next year for another go.

“Conditions were pretty tough and I think a horse went down behind us. I’ve ridden in worse and I’ve ridden in better and this was what I was expecting.

“He’s a soft ground horse so it probably suited him better. It’s just fantastic and I couldn’t be any happier.”

Following several lengths behind Jason and Start Me Up was experienced local jockey John Thirsk and his mount Harry.

John, a winner of the race on four previous occasions, who has also walked the course during years when the Derby was unable to take place due to the weather and during the COVID-19 pandemic, was taking part for the final time.

After deciding to hang up his saddle, the 60-year-old was over the moon to finish second.

“I fell off my horse last year and it’s been a tough 12 months getting back in shape to take part,” he told the Wolds Weekly.

“But I got here and managed to finish second. The conditions were fairly scary and some of the horses went off too quickly.

“However, he got himself out of any trouble and got stronger as the race went on.

“This is my 12th and last race and I’m delighted to finish second in it.”

Trustees of the Kiplingcotes Derby, including Philip Guest, Clare Waring and Lord Manton, all of whom attended last week’s race, maintain the traditions of the race and worked harder than ever to ensure it still took place in some form during the pandemic.

Mr Guest said that with an increase in the number of entries and hundreds of spectators returning, it shows the Kiplingcotes Derby is still a popular event on the social calendar, which is here to stay.

“The course is a little bit wet and it’s muddy underfoot for both horses and spectators,” said Philip.

“We have had a lot of riders come down – 20 – which is a lot for us. In a normal year, we might expect around a dozen but this is a high number.

“You never know how popular it is going to be. The state of the course isn’t usually a factor as it is never too good anyway, as it’s not a proper course, it’s a collection of roadside verges.

“I’ve seen the course a lot worse than it is today. We just hope that everyone comes back safely.

“Perhaps there aren’t as many spectators as there normally would be but it’s always hard to gauge.

“This is our 504th meeting and we don’t know of any other horse race in the world that is older.

“If there is, the organisers are welcome to challenge us, but we do have documentation to prove it.

“The race still retains its appeal as a traditional country event. In all honesty, there is lots of standing around, with a bit of action at the start and some more at the end.

“But much of it focuses on the social side of the event, with people catching up with each other.”

Although no longer a trustee, Guy Stephenson continues to hold an honorary position with the Derby.

He recently celebrated his 90th birthday and has an association with the race that spans over 80 years.

“It’s good to be back for another year,” said Guy. “I’ve not been along the course at all but from what I gather it isn’t too bad, other than being a bit wet in places.

“It’s been a lot worse. There’s a good turnout, maybe fewer than usual. But who would turn out on a day like this?

“It’s good to keep the race going and we’ll try and do that for as long as we can.”