FeatureThe Story of Horseracing
premium
The most dramatic and sensational race ever run - with tragic consequences that left racing under siege

Through 2025, the Racing Post will be telling the history of racing through the stories of the 20 most significant races ever run. In part six, Chris Cook recalls the extraordinary actions of Emily Wilding Davison during the 1913 Derby and the remarkable events that followed . . .
Parts 1-5:
Part one: The day racing changed forever: how the 1780 Derby sparked a 250-year turf revolution
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
Last updated
more inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
- How Longchamp's great leap forward redrew the map of world racing - with the help of a Hollywood icon
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup transformed and Britain v Ireland ignited - all thanks to a young trainer who would become a legend
- How a son of slaves was mocked and abused by his peers - but then imitated forever
- 'The killer of the English' - Gladiateur and the day Britain lost control of its greatest race
- The dust-up to end all dust-ups that brought 150,000 to the Knavesmire - with not a public hanging in sight
more inThe Story Of Horseracing In 20 Races
- How Longchamp's great leap forward redrew the map of world racing - with the help of a Hollywood icon
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup transformed and Britain v Ireland ignited - all thanks to a young trainer who would become a legend
- How a son of slaves was mocked and abused by his peers - but then imitated forever
- 'The killer of the English' - Gladiateur and the day Britain lost control of its greatest race
- The dust-up to end all dust-ups that brought 150,000 to the Knavesmire - with not a public hanging in sight