Brighton Derby
| Discontinued horse race | |
| Location | Brighton Beach Race Course Coney Island, New York, United States |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1901 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1 1⁄2 miles (12 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | $15,000 |
The Brighton Derby was an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually by the Brighton Beach Racing Association at its Brighton Beach Race Course at Brighton Beach on Coney Island, New York. Open to three-year-olds, it was contested at a distance of one and one half miles (12 furlongs) on dirt. Run during the mid to latter part of July, it was the last of the racing season's Derby races.
The Brighton Derby was first run at 1 1⁄2 miles in 1901 then at 1 1⁄4 miles in 1902 and 1903 before reverting to the original distance.
During its seven years of existence, Brighton Derby winners Ort Wells, Sysonby and Accountant went on to earn American Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse honors. Sysonby would also earn the American Horse of the Year title.
Records
Speed record: (at 1 1⁄2 miles)
- 2:30.80 - Charles Edward (1907)
Most wins by a jockey:
- 2 - Frank O'Neill (1903, 1904)
Most wins by a trainer:
- No trainer won this race more than once.
Most wins by an owner:
- 2 - James B. A. Haggin (1901, 1903)
Winners
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | Charles Edward | Willie Knapp | Frank M. Taylor | Patchogue Stable (William DuBois) | 2:30.80 |
| 1906 | Accountant | Skeets Martin | Matthew M. Allen | James B. Brady | 2:37.20 |
| 1905 | Sysonby | David Nicol | James G. Rowe, Sr. | James R. Keene | 2:33.20 |
| 1904 | Ort Wells | Frank O'Neill | Enoch Wishard | John A. Drake | 2:32.60 |
| 1903 | Charles Elwood | Frank O'Neill | A. Jack Joyner | James B. A. Haggin | 2:05.00 |
| 1902 | Hyphen | George Odom | Peter Wimmer | Samuel S. Brown | 2:04.20 |
| 1901 | Water Color | Henry Spencer | Charles S. Littlefield | James B. A. Haggin | 2:34.20 |
References
- August 14, 1901 New York Times article on Harness racing at the Brighton Beach Race Course
- July 30, 1905 New York Times article on Sysonby's win in the Brighton Derby
- July 6, 1908 New York Times article on the effects of New York State's new Hart-Agnew new anti-betting law
