Kiplingcotes Derby: Best pictures from famous race in its 505th year

A racing decree set out centuries ago is said to suggest that if ever the Kiplingcotes Derby couldn't run then it would have to cease for evermore.

By Ruby Kitchen

Published 22nd Mar 2024, 06:00 BST

Yesterday the race, in its 505th year, saw incredible scenes despite boggy weather which set tensions rising.

Here are some of the best pictures from the event taken by Yorkshire Post photographer Tony Johnson

First established in 1519 the Kiplingcotes Derby is run on the third Thursday in March along roadside verges in the small hamlet near Market Weighton in the East Riding.Julie Campbell aboard Merlin winner of the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024

1. Julie Campbell aboard Merlin

First established in 1519 the Kiplingcotes Derby is run on the third Thursday in March along roadside verges in the small hamlet near Market Weighton in the East Riding.Julie Campbell aboard Merlin winner of the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024 Photo: Tony Johnson

Taking in more than four miles of farm tracks, fields and grass verges, the race is said to be the oldest of its kind and, through weather, war and pandemics, there have been some challenges.Jockey Heather Sparks weighs in before the running of the The 505th Kiplingcotes Derby on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024

2. Jockey Heather Sparks weighs in before the running

Taking in more than four miles of farm tracks, fields and grass verges, the race is said to be the oldest of its kind and, through weather, war and pandemics, there have been some challenges.Jockey Heather Sparks weighs in before the running of the The 505th Kiplingcotes Derby on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024 Photo: Tony Johnson

In the harsh winter of 1947, legend has it a local farmer stepped in to keep the tradition alive, determinedly carrying on alone. And while it normally takes around 10 minutes to complete, it took him an hour and 20 minutes to finish, according to legend, as he cleared four-foot snowdrifts.The on course bookmaker displayes the first three placed in the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024

3. The on course bookmaker displayes the first three placed

In the harsh winter of 1947, legend has it a local farmer stepped in to keep the tradition alive, determinedly carrying on alone. And while it normally takes around 10 minutes to complete, it took him an hour and 20 minutes to finish, according to legend, as he cleared four-foot snowdrifts.The on course bookmaker displayes the first three placed in the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024 Photo: Tony Johnson

Again, in 2001 with the foot-and-mouth crisis, the race was reduced to one horse and one rider, and for wet weather in 2018 one man made his way through at a "sedate pace". For the pandemic, in 2020, it was completed by two riders under social distancing restrictions.A get together with glasses of fizz as participants wait to hack to the start line for the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024

4. A get together with glasses of fizz

Again, in 2001 with the foot-and-mouth crisis, the race was reduced to one horse and one rider, and for wet weather in 2018 one man made his way through at a "sedate pace". For the pandemic, in 2020, it was completed by two riders under social distancing restrictions.A get together with glasses of fizz as participants wait to hack to the start line for the 505th Kiplingcotes Derby run on the Yorkshire Wolds near Market Weighton, the oldest horse race the world, photographed by Tony Johnson for The Yorkshire Post. 21th March 2024 Photo: Tony Johnson

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.