Cicero’s Trough is located outside the Rubbing House Pub right in the middle of the world famous horse racecourse of Epsom Downs.
A small chestnut Colt, Cicero was owned and bred by the former British Prime Minster Lord Rosebery. He was commissioned the trough in celebration of his win at the 1905’s Epsom Derby.
During the year 1904 Cicero was the best two year old in England. He was the best by winning in all the races he participated in. Then in 1905 he became the shortest priced successful favourite in the history of the Epsom Derby. It is for winning 4/11 which is still undefeated. Following Cicero’s 1905 Derby victory, Lord Rosbery celebrated in style with a fireworks display at The Durdans. Then he offered a lavish meal for the four hundred inmates of the local Workhouse, and a garden party for three thousand local working men. The famous trough is situated at the forecourt of The Rubbing House Pub, which enjoys the particular distinction of being the only pub in the world to sit in the middle of a racecourse. The name derives from an old shelter dating back to the dawn of the Epsom racecourse, where the grooms used to rub the horses before taking them to the paddock.
History of Cicero’s Trough
The original building was also used by tradesmen who used to come and sell drinks on race meetings. Then by 1801 it had become a public house. So, the pub was originally leased to the Pagdan Brothers who owned several pubs in the area and a brewery in Church Street outside St Martin’s Church. By 1857 after a fire broke out destroying the original building, subsequently, the Pagdan Brothers came up with an ambitious plan to rebuild the public house as a hotel. However, a dispute with the Epsom Grandstand Association ensued, as they protested, as a major hotel facing the racecourse would pose direct competition to the interests of the association. If you are looking for further details on Epsom, visit the homepage of your Professional Plumbing Epsom website.