The Derby

All the raffish pleasures and excitements of Derby Day are captured in this remarkable film from 1931 - featuring the Royal Family, Pearly Kings & Queens, gypsies and racehorses

This amazing film begins with crowds arriving at the racecourse - either by foot, car or coach. We see the viewing stands, the bookies and huge crowds of racegoers. Pearly Kings & Queens stroll about with their children while newsreel cameras are perched atop wooden towers. The film captures the start of the Derby and crowds spill onto the course after the racehorses pass. The Royal Family are seen leaving the venue after which we see gypsies, the funfair and exotic sideshows.

The Derby featured in this wonderful glimpse of Bygone Britain was rather special. It was held on the 3rd June which happened to be King George V's birthday. The entire Royal Family were in attendance, including the controversial Prince of Wales. The other significant feature of the 1931 Derby was that it was the first to be shown on live television - using equipment provided by the Baird Television Company in partnership with the BBC. Baird's equipment was set up in a caravan close to the winning post and the images were sent by telephone lines to his control room in London and thence onward to the BBC for transmission. Incidentally, the winner of the 1931 Derby was the favourite - Cameronian - ridden by Fred Fox.