Cedar Downs Racing Derby

File:Cedar Downs Horses.jpg

The carousel has 64 horse figures that move backward and forward as its {{Convert|90|ft|m|adj=on}} diameter platform spins at a top speed of {{Convert|15|mph|kph}}, which creates a horse racing effect.{{rp|2}} Before the start of each ride cycle a recorded Fanfare trumpet plays "Call to the Post" signaling the start of the race. During the ride a recording of a Race caller can be heard describing the progress of the race.{{cite web|url=https://www.insidersofthepoint.com/cedar-downs-racing-derby.html|title=Cedar Downs Racing Derby 1967|website=insidersofthepoint.com|access-date=April 6, 2025}}

The carousel was built by Prior and Church in 1922 with wooden horses carved by the Williams Amusement Device Company.{{rp|3}}{{cite web|url=https://euclidbeach.org/racing-derby-history|website=euclidbeach.org|title=Prior and Church Racing Derby History|last=Frato|first=John|publisher=Euclid Beach Park Now|access-date=March 30, 2025}} Prior and Church built at least 18 of these derbies between 1916 and 1927. This particular ride was originally installed in Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland, Ohio, where it was known as the Great American Racing Derby. With 16 rows of four horses, it was one of the largest ever built.{{cite web|url=https://carouselhistory.com/racing-derby-part-3-illions-and-coney-island/|title=Racing Derbies Revisited – Part 3 – Venice Pier|website=carouselhistory.com|access-date=April 6, 2025}} The original patent illustrated a much smaller platform with six rows of four horses. It operated in its original location for 43 years.{{rp|3}} Euclid Beach Park sold the ride to Cedar Point in 1965 to raise operating capital.{{cite news |last1=DeMarco |first1=Laura |title=New store offers staple of Euclid Beach Park |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-euclid-park/169288158/ |work=The Plain Dealer |date=January 26, 2019 |page=A11}} The ride opened at Cedar Point in 1967. Euclid Beach Park closed two years later in 1969. The carousel was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 8, 1990.{{rp|7}} Although it had been moved to Cedar Point more than 20 years prior, the attraction is listed under its original name from when it operated at Euclid Beach.{{rp|3, 7}}

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A similar, but smaller, 14-row, 56-horse ride known as Derby Racer operates at Rye Playland in Rye, New York. It was one of the last built and has been operating in its original location since 1927.{{Cite web|last=Crnic|first=Ben|date=March 1, 2024|title=Iconic Rides, Facilities at Rye Playland Get Upgrades, Restoration|url=https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/rye/iconic-rides-facilities-at-rye-playland-get-upgrades-restoration-w/|work=Daily Voice|access-date=March 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309153803/https://dailyvoice.com/new-york/rye/iconic-rides-facilities-at-rye-playland-get-upgrades-restoration-w/|archive-date=March 9, 2024}} The horses at Rye Playland were carved by Marcus Illions.{{cite web|url=https://carouselhistory.com/racing-derby-part-5-illions-and-coney-island/|title=Racing Derby – Part 5 – M. C. Illions and Coney Island|website=carouselhistory.com|access-date=April 6, 2025}} A third racing carousel, also named Derby Racer, exists at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, England.{{Cite web|last=Calderbank|first=Matthew|date=August 9, 2023|title=Blackpool Pleasure Beach Ride 'Derby Racer' Catches Fire|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/blackpool-pleasure-beach-ride-derby-racer-catches-fire-4248588|work=Blackpool Gazette|access-date=March 27, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618130152/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/blackpool-pleasure-beach-ride-derby-racer-catches-fire-4248588|archive-date=June 18, 2024}}

It is also a 56-horse ride, similar to Rye's, but unlike the originals, it was constructed by Frank Wright in 1959, more than 30 years after the Prior and Church derbies were built. The horses were carved at Blackpool. A 72-key Verbeeck band organ from Antwerp, Belgium, provides music.

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A 72-horse ride with a 100-foot diameter platform was designed but never built.

Although the original patent was for a 24-horse model, the first one built was a 40-horse derby with a 60-foot platform.

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• Amusement rides on the National Register of Historic Places
• Kiddy Kingdom Carousel
• Midway Carousel
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Sandusky, Ohio

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{{Cedar Point}}

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Category:1922 establishments in Ohio

Category:Amusement rides introduced in 1922

Category:Buildings and structures in Ohio

Category:Carousels on the National Register of Historic Places in Ohio

Category:National Register of Historic Places in Erie County, Ohio