Durbar (horse)

Durbar
Durbar returns to France after winning the Epsom Derby.
Sire	Rabelais
Grandsire	St. Simon
Dam	Armenia
Damsire	Meddler
Sex	Stallion
Foaled	1911
Country	France
Colour	Bay
Breeder	Herman B. Duryea
Owner	Herman B. Duryea
Trainer	Tom Murphy
Record	13: 5-1-2
Earnings	£
Major wins
Prix de Saint-Cloud (1914) Prix Biennale (1914) Prix Noailles (1914) Epsom Derby (1914)

Durbar (known in England and the United States as Durbar II) was a French racehorse. Although not the best of his generation in France (he was inferior to both Sardanapale and La Farina), he proved too good for the leading British colts in the 1914 Epsom Derby, which he won by three lengths. His pedigree was controversial, with the British authorities not recognising him as a Thoroughbred. His racing career was ended by the outbreak of the First World War.

Durbar, a bay horse standing 15.3 hands high with a white blaze and three white socks, was bred in France by his owner Herman B. Duryea. Duryea had been a prominent owner and breeder of racehorses in New York State, until 1908. In that year, gambling was made illegal in the state by the Hart–Agnew Law, forcing most racetracks to close, and like several of his compatriots Duryea transferred his racing and breeding operations to Europe.

Shortly afterwards and possibly in response to the influx of American horses, the Jockey Club created a new regulation which became known as the Jersey Act, banning horses without proven “pure” descent from foundation mares from being registered in the General Stud Book. Such horses, including many from the most successful American families, were allowed to race but could not be considered Thoroughbreds. Durbar fell foul of the new rule as his dam Armenia descended from an unknown mare.

Durbar ran four times in 1913 without success, but showed some promise, twice finishing fourth and running third in the Prix Prestige on his final start.

Durbar was extremely active in the spring of 1914, running six times in France before being sent to Epsom. Running over 2000m he won his first two races before he was stepped up in class to run second to Sardanapale in the Prix Lagrange. He won the Prix Biennale on his next start and was then moved up to 2400m to record his most important French victory in the Prix Noailles. He was brought back in trip for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains over 1600m at Longchamp but was unable to recover from a poor start and finished unplaced.