Trip down Epsom memory lane proves informative as Coolmore tighten Derby grip

Shortly after Saturday's Derby the result of the 1996 race was posted on a racing forum on the internet; just the result, without comment, the extended details of a race won by the William Haggas-trained Shaamit, ridden by Michael Hills.

Shaamit is generally regarded as a below-average Derby winner. He never won again and was later an indifferent sire, less significant certainly than his victims on the big day such as runner-up Dushyantor, third-placed Shantou and the non-staying fifth Alhaarth.

Contemporary reports mention how the race, run at the unusually early time of 2.25 to avoid a clash with the opening match of Euro 96 at Wembley (England 1, Switzerland 1), lacked its usual atmosphere.