Epsom Derby jockeys to wear black armbands for Vincent O’Brien
Jockeys riding in the Derby at Epsom Downs tomorrow (6 June) will be wearing black armbands in memory of the late Vincent O’Brien.
The legendary racehorse trainer died on Monday (2 June) at the age of 92. In honour of the trainer, flags at Epsom have been flying half-mast this week.
Although over the weekend flags will be once again be flying at full-mast, on Derby day he will be remembered formally.
“He was a great Derby trainer and we want to stage a suitable tribute to him on the day,” said Nick Blofeld, managing director of Epsom.
Having sought approval from O’Brien’s family, Epsom have announced that the death of the six-time Derby-winning trainer will be marked by the reading of a tribute during the Classic’s preliminaries with a picture of him being shown on all CCTV screens as the horses go to post for the Derby.
“Being such a huge figure in our history, we are currently putting together long-term plans for a lasting memorial to him, which we hope will be in place in time for next year’s Derby,” added Mr Blofeld.
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Emma, a graduate of Exeter University, joined H&H in 2011 from our sister title The Field. She hunts and events from her home county of Warwickshire and has written on topics as diverse as Badminton to ratting. She became team chasing editor in 2012, before leaving H&H in spring 2013 to spend more time with her horses.