The Queen enjoys the race

Punters were still queuing to get in long after racing had started on Saturday and the course boasted a carnival atmosphere topped by a free concert by pop stars including Hear' Say and Steps.

It was the return of the premier Classic to the BBC, showing the race for the first time in 22 years, and a first for BBC Sport Online with a live webcast of the action.

And retiring commentator Peter Bromley, the BBC's voice of racing for 41 years, went out on a high with a typically booming account of the drama.

The Queen was at Epsom for the second successive day, and the Queen Mother also made an appearance.

Seasoned race watchers believe they may have seen something special, perhaps one of the best horses to win the Derby since Shergar 20 years ago.

Galileo won by three-and-a-half lengths from fellow joint 11-4 favourite Golan. They were the first co-favourites in the race for 10 years.

Strange hats are in vogue

Tobougg finished third, with the popularity of jockey Frankie Dettori clearly demonstrated by the horse's plunge in odds from 16/1 on the morning to a starting price of 9/1.

Galileo won the race on quick, dry ground in two minutes 33.27 secs. It was the second fastest Derby time recorded, behind Lammtarra (2m 32.31 secs in 1995).

His victory completed a brilliant double for the Irish team of trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Mick Kinane, who won the Oaks with Imagine 24 hours earlier.

And it capped a remarkable weekend for part-owner Sue Magnier, the wife of bloodstock guru John, and the team involved with the Coolmore Stud breeding operation.

The triumph was the first in a Derby by offspring of the great stallion Sadler's Wells, who also sired Imagine.

As the crowds sang, cheered and stumbled on their way home, course officials were celebrating a great success.

Sad Farewell to Peter Bromley

Sue Ellen, managing director of United Racecourses which runs Epsom along with Kempton and Sandown racecourses, was very pleased.

"I am delighted with the day and the crowd - there has simply been the most marvellous atmosphere," she said.

"The enormous cheer that greeted the start of the 222nd running of the Vodafone Derby demonstrated what a huge attendance we had.

"It was another magnificent race - a true classic."

Precise crowd figures are difficult to assess as there is free entrance on The Hill, an area of commonland infield of the track.

Retired triple-Derby winning jockey Walter Swinburn, at the course as a summariser for BBC Five Live, was among those marvelling at the sheer buzz around the track.

Swinburn, whose victories included Shergar and Lammtarra, said: "I haven't been as excited about the race like this for a long time. I think this year's special.

"There's nothing quite like it, and never will be as far as I'm concerned."

Kentucky tips

And that comes from a man who had previously indicated he would prefer to see the Derby switch back from a Saturday to its traditional date on the first Wednesday of June.

Course general manager Stephen Wallis has ruled that out - he and the Epsom team want to build on the success of Saturday.

After visiting America's Kentucky Derby, and loaning a few ideas such as a rousing blast of trumpets before the start, Wallis hopes this is the fanfare for a new era for the Epsom equivalent - the world's most famous Flat race.