| Kiplingcotes Derby | |
|---|---|
 Kiplingcotes Finishing Post | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Steeplechase |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Kiplingcotes, East Riding of Yorkshire |
| Coordinates | 53°55′08″N 0°38′24″W / 53.919°N 0.640°W |
| Country | England |
| Inaugurated | 1519 |
| Most recent | 21 March 2024 |
| Previous event | 16 March 2023 |
| Next event | 20 March 2025 |
Kiplingcotes Derby (also spelt Kipling Cotes), run at Kiplingcotes in the East Riding of Yorkshire, is widely accepted to be the oldest annual horse race in the English sporting calendar. It reputedly began in 1519 and takes place on the third Thursday in March, often in exceptionally adverse weather conditions. The 500th race took place on 21 March 2019.[1]
One quirk of the ancient rules means that the second place rider often receives more in prize money than the winner. It is run, not over a typical modern racecourse, but partly along the wide verge of a roadside. A clerk is paid 5 shillings (25p) annually for maintaining it.
- ^ "Kiplingcotes Derby: Oldest horse race celebrates 500th anniversary". BBC News. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2019.