Hamilton Derby

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Hamilton Derby was a Canadian horse race held at the Hamilton Jockey Club Racetrack in Hamilton, Ontario. It started in 1907 and was open to three-year-old Thoroughbreds of any sex. The race was run on dirt over 1¼ miles on a left-handed track.

The first four editions were won by Canadian-owned horses. After New York passed the Hart–Agnew anti-betting law in 1908, racing there shut down in 1911 and 1912, so American owners began sending horses to compete in Canada. The 1911 race produced five starters, all American-owned, including Meridian (the Kentucky Derby winner) and Governor Gray, as well as Naushon owned by Richard Wilson Jr. and Pagod owned by Lily A. Livingston. Whist, owned by August Belmont Jr. and ridden by Eddie Dugan, won that year.

With American stables racing regularly in Hamilton, the Derby gained a strong reputation. In 1914, the Daily Racing Form described it as one of the great three-year-old races of the season in Canada.

The Hamilton Derby is now discontinued.