The name came from the Druid's Lodge stable near Salisbury, Wiltshire, where their horses, including Aboyeur, were trained in conditions of secrecy by Tom Lewis.

In a controversial race for the 2000 Guineas he had been awarded second place behind Louvois by the racecourse judge (there were no photo-finish cameras in use), despite many observers believing that he had crossed the line in front.

[10] At Epsom on 4 June, Aboyeur, running in blinkers,[12] was an unconsidered outsider, starting at odds of 100/1 while Craganour was made 6/4 favourite in a field of fifteen.

Aboyeur, ridden by Edwin Piper, took an early lead which he maintained into the straight, where he ran about three horse-widths away from the inside rail to his left.

The initial interference occurred when Craganour, ridden by Johnny Reiff, hung left, bumping Aboyeur who in turn veered towards the rail, badly hampering Shogun, Louvois and Day Comet.

[14] Piper, then struck his horse with his whip in his left hand, causing Aboyeur to hang sharply back to the centre of the track, colliding with Craganour and attempting to bite him.

After the leaders had passed Tattenham Corner, Emily Davison, a prominent campaigner for women’s suffrage walked out onto the track and was struck by the King’s horse Anmer, who was among the back-markers.

[17] After a brief pause, the Judge, Mr Robinson announced the result as Craganour first, Aboyeur second, Louvois third,[18] having apparently missed Day Comet on the inside who had been obscured by other runners.

After a lengthy inquiry in which the Judge and the jockeys were interviewed, the Stewards disqualified Craganour on the grounds that he had failed to keep a straight course and had thereby “jostled”, “bumped and bored” and “interfered” with other runners.