Bourne Society Pub and Brewery History Group

Visit to the Amato Inn, Epsom, July 3 2004

18 Chalk Lane
Epsom Surrey KT18 7AF
Tel: (01372 721085)

 

The Amato is a charming "locals" pub close to Epsom Downs, home of The Derby. It has a wishing well at the front and each Sunday prior to Derby week, "someone", supposedly gypsies, chalk on the name of the Derby Winner. The pub got its name from the first time this happened back in 1898 when the winning horse was AMATO. Great cask ales and home cooked food is served lunchtime and evening 6 days a week. The pub boasts open fires in the winter and a spacious well kept garden including BBQ for the Summer.

 

An artist’s impression of the Amato c1839

 

The Amato was built as a single-storey weatherboarded building in the 18th century. It grew by adding wings onto a central core; the original house may have existed before the first mention of the property in 1734. The Amato was burnt down in the 1920s, and the present building is a replica, although the wrought-iron frame supporting the pub sign is original. The pub was originally called the Rummer, after a tall wineglass popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1755 it consisted of a single building divided into a pub on one side and a private house on the other, with a garden at the back and a coach-house and stables. By 1801 the public house side had received a new name, the Hare and Hounds. James Simmonds was the Landlord. Ten years later he was succeeded by James Gorrard, and the private house had apparently been taken over by the pub, for the hole building was sold to the local brewer William Cobbold. Gorrard had died by 1824, and the business was in the hands of his widow  It is interesting to note that in 1881 the occupants of the Amato were as follows: Dwelling:Amato Woodcote Rd  Census Place:      Epsom, Surrey, EnglandSource: FHL Film 1341178     PRO Ref RG11    Piece 0761    Folio 82    Page 15                                    Marr       Age      Sex      Birthplace James GORARD            W         71         M         Epsom, Surrey, England             Rel:      Head             Occ:     Licd Victr Arthur GORARD            U          19         M         Epsom, Surrey, England             Rel:      Gd Son             Occ:     Supported By Gd Father

 

The following BBC piece in Derby week gives a bit more of the pub and its tradition:

 

BBC Sport Online's Frank Keogh discovers a long-running Derby saga alive and well.

The name appeared scrawled in chalk in the dead of night - Galileo. No-one knew the author, but they all professed to know its meaning - it was the name of this year's Derby winner. And so the story goes, that a gypsy tradition dating back decades sees the big race selection mysteriously appear on a well outside The Amato inn on the Sunday before Derby day.

It can be written off as a stunt but don't tell that to the regulars who populate the hostelry tucked away in Chalk Farm Lane, between Epsom's town centre and rolling Downs. They swear by the magic of the well, and point to an apparently successful record as proof that the system works.

The 'magic' well declares the winner

The Irish-trained horse Galileo will start one of the favourites for Saturday's Vodafone Derby, and the locals cannot remember when the well displayed the name of a horse which finished out of the first three.

Word has spread, with the pub fielding calls from curious punters in such far-flung destinations as Hong Kong, Dubai, Canada, Spain and Greece. They all want to know one thing - what's the name on the well?

Maureen Kelling took over management of the pub with her husband Joe in February. She will follow the well's wisdom with her Derby bet, so will barman Robert Langrell along with scores of once-a-year punters.

If they served up a pint called Galileo, it would probably be the most popular brew, although you might be seeing stars in the morning.

"No-one's been here long enough to know when the name started appearing on the well, but it's definitely over 40 years," says Maureen. "It's a gypsy oath that has been passed down, and they've had a good success rate - Sinndar won last time.

Amato won the Derby in 1838

"The regulars follow it, although some of them say the choice should have been Perfect Sunday this year.

"For them to still believe it, the horse has to finish in the top three. If it doesn't, it will be a disaster."

The inn, previously the Horse and Hounds, has been known as The Amato ever since the horse of that name won the Derby in 1838.

Inside on the pub's walls are horseshoes representing Derby winners down the years, and photographs of equine superstars.

As we chat outside by the well, necks are craned by passing motorists and pedestrians keen to find out the name of this year's winner.

From the pub's kitchen emerges one of those heart-stopping voices that can only belong to a chef.

"Galileo," he booms, to the tune of that famous record by rockers Queen - "Galileo, Galileo, let me go."

 

[ Acknowledgements to the BBC for this website item, ref. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/epsom_derby/1377769.stm]

 

 

 

 

The Amato, Epsom