A lot coming up next week for auction in London highlights the Manx origins of the world-famous Epsom Derby.

The Derby is Britain’s richest horse race and its most prestigious. Along with the Grand National it’s the race everybody has heard of, whether they are horseracing fans or not.

What everybody does not know is that the race was first run on the island, at Langness Penninsula.

The 7th Earl of Derby, after whom the race is named and who was also the Lord of Mann, inistituted the race, through a written command, dated July 1669. He also donated a cup for what became known as the ’Manx Derby’.

It wasn’t until 1780 that the Derby was run at Epsom.

The lot that is coming up for auction with Graham Budd Auctions in London on November 13 comprises ’a group of three extremely rare and early horse racing manuscripts outlining in detail the Rules for the ’Manx Derby’ on the Isle of Man for the years 1691, 1692 and 1693’.

These are described as being of exceptional significance for the history of horse racing as they are among the earliest official documents to exist. They are certainly fascinating to read.

One of the rules states that the race is open only to ’horses, geldings or mares foaled within the said island or in the Calfe of Man’.

Another describes the route the course should take: ’That every rider shall leave the three poles set up on the back of the land near the rocks upon his left hand and the poles around the harbour and the running poles next to William Looreye’s house also to be left upon the left hand.’

The Derby has definitely changed since those days!

â?¢ The auctioneer’s estimate for the lot, number 65, is £2,000 - £3,000. For more information visit www.grahambuddauctions.co.uk