Saturday, June 7, 2008

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 7

ANOTHER GREAT DERBY CROWD

The paying crowd came to over 38,000 with an estimated total crowd (including The Hill) of over 100,000.

Nick Blofeld, Managing Director at Epsom Downs, commented: “As winning owner Princess Haya said today, the Derby is the greatest sporting event in the world.

“Today we witnessed a contest with tremendous strength in depth and it was immensely satisfying to see all the leading contenders involved in the finish.

“The prestige of the Vodafone Derby has been very much confirmed.”

COOPER REFLECTS ON SUCCESSFUL DERBY FESTIVAL

He was particularly pleased by the reaction to the ground which rode fabulously over both days.

Cooper said: “From a racing perspective, the two days have gone well. We’ve had no major injuries and the track has ridden extremely well and has been well received by all connections.

“We’ve had beautiful naturally produced ground, which you just can’t beat. We’ve had to do nothing to the course for the past three weeks from an irrigation perspective. It’s the third year running we’ve had that situation and it makes it significantly easier.”

Cooper felt that the Vodafone Derby provided an altogether satisfactory outcome.

“To have the champion two-year-old, who was then placed second in two Guineas, come and win from what looked extremely strong horses, it just looks a very good race from a quality perspective.”

“I think it was a dramatic race and I want to watch it again to see what course New Approach weaved through. It looked a terrific ride from his jockey (Kevin Manning).”

On a more general note, Cooper was also able to provide a positive bulletin.

He said: “My blinkers are on and I’m focused on the racing side of it. But I am not aware of any public issues around the site. The weather has been kind both days and we’ve had good crowds seemingly enjoying being back here.”

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

NEW APPROACH (IRE) - THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY WINNER

Race Record: Starts: 8; 1st 6; 2nd: 2; 3rd: - Win & Place Prize Money: £1,296,715.95

HRH Princess Haya of Jordan
Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who celebrated her 34th birthday on May 3, is the daughter of the late King Hussein of Jordan (who died in 1999) and on April 10, 2004, she married Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the world’s biggest racehorse owner. Princess Haya - who was educated at Bryanston School in Dorset and gained an honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics at Oxford University - is a highly accomplished horsewoman. She spent time in Ireland with trainer Tommy Stack and the likes of Paul Darragh and Alain Storme and enjoyed great success in the equestrian world. She is the first Arab woman to compete in the equestrian sphere at Olympic (she represented Jordan at Sydney in 2000), world and continental championship level. In 2007, she was elected a member of the International Olympic Committee and on May 1, 2006, she became president of the International Equestrian Federation. She owns a large string of horses, many of whom are with John Gosden in Newmarket, and her best representatives to date include the Sussex Stakes winner Proclamation, Royal Lodge Stakes victor Leo and top sprinter Dandy Man.

Vodafone Derby runners - NEW APPROACH

Jim Bolger IRE
Born in County Wexford on Christmas Day, 1941, James Stephen (Jim) Bolger was educated at Enniscorthy CBS and the College of Commerce, Rathmines. The farmer's son initially trained and worked as an accountant before taking out a licence to train in July, 1976. He was based at Clonsilla, Co Dublin, close to the now-defunct Phoenix Park racecourse before moving to his present base at Coolcullen, Co Carlow. His first winner was Peaceful Pleasure at Roscommon on September 20, 1976. He soon made an impact on the Irish scene, enjoying his first Classic victory with Give Thanks in the 1983 Irish Oaks. Over the years, Bolger has proved particularly adept at training fillies, such as the 1981 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Condessa and Flame Of Tara, winner of the Coronation Stakes in 1983 and later a top-class broodmare, as well as Park Appeal, Polonia and Park Express, the dam of New Approach. He has also enjoyed success as a jump trainer and landed the Irish Champion Hurdle with Nordic Surprise in 1991 and with Chirkpar a year later. In 1991, Jet Ski Lady was a highly-impressive 10-length winner of the Epsom Oaks, belying her 50/1 odds, while St Jovite only found Dr Devious too good in the Vodafone Derby the following year. St Jovite subsequently romped home in the Irish Derby by 12 lengths and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. Blue Judge was second in the 1993 Vodafone Derby, despite starting at 150/1. In recent years, his best horses have included the 2002 Irish Oaks heroine Margarula, who sported the colours of his wife Jackie and the globetrotting Alexander Goldrun who won five Group One races. A wonderful season in 2006 saw Bolger train both the top rated juvenile colt and juvenile filly in Europe with Teofilo and Finsceal Beo. Injury prevented Teofilo from enhancing his reputation further but 2007 was another fantastic year for Bolger as Finsceal Beo completed a brilliant English/Irish 1000 Guineas double. Those Classic triumphs were complemented by the exploits of New Approach who emulated Teofilo to become the European champion juvenile colt, while the two-year-old filly Saoirse Abu landed a brace of Group One contests. Jackie Bolger met her husband while he was working as an accountant and has always played a pivotal role in the stable, while the couple have also developed a highly successful breeding operation. Jim Bolger once remarked: "Jackie and I have always been very much a partnership - I think this business lends itself to that." The couple married on April 24, 1965, and have two daughters - Una (who is married to Kevin Manning) and Fiona. Vodafone Derby Record: 1988 Project Manager (9th); 1991 Star Of Gdansk (3rd); 1992 St Jovite (2nd); 1993 Blue Judge (2nd), Desert Team (11th); 2008 NEW APPROACH WON

Kevin Manning
Kevin Manning was born on March 7, 1967, in the small village of Kilsallaghan, Co Dublin. His father Jim was a sales supervisor at the airport and used to take Kevin jump racing at weekends. While his brother and twin sisters did not share his passion, Kevin’s parents bought him a pony and were so impressed with his natural ability in the saddle that they sent him to Jim Bolger’s yard in 1982, for whom he rode his first winner, Keynes, at the Curragh in April, 1983. He was twice champion apprentice in Ireland in 1984 and 1987, when he beat Kieren Fallon and succeeded Christy Roche as Bolger’s number one jockey in 1993. Surprisingly, he had to wait until 2002 until his first Classic success, when he partnered Margarula to victory in the 2002 Irish Oaks. His first British winner on April 14, 2005, with Democratic Deficit in the Group Three Craven Stakes at Newmarket and he has won the last two running of the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at the Suffolk course courtesy of Teofilo (2006) and New Approach (2007) as well as the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas with Finsceal Beo (2007). He has also enjoyed significant success on the international stage aboard Alexander Goldrun. Away from racing, Kevin is married to Jim Bolger’s daughter Una and they have two children. Vodafone Derby Record: 1988 Project Manager (9th); 2008 NEW APPROACH WON

FIFTH RACE WINNING QUOTES
THE VODAFONE DERBY

A GREAT APPROACH

“Everything went according to plan and he just got the job done,” said Bolger. “We’d been settling him at home recently and I was never too concerned.

“I thought before the race that winning would be up there with the best but after winning I can very willingly say it is the very best day I have had in racing.

“It gives me great satisfaction, I love to be competitive and this is a terrific sporting occasion.”

Bolger accidentally left New Approach in the Vodafone Derby at the final forfeit stage on May 23 and added: “It was the biggest mistake I’ve made for a long time but it was the best mistake I have made in my life.

“Kevin didn’t panic and he really starred. It was the best ride I have ever seen around Epsom in any year because it was difficult beforehand and there would not be many jockeys that could be organised like that.

“There has been no pressure from Sheikh Mohammed, Princess Haya or John Ferguson and I don’t do pressure. The only pressure may have been among the staff but they can be proud of what they do, it has been a team effort. The time that we’ve put into the horse has paid off.

“I’m not capable of contempt and I’m sure the punters who backed him antepost are happy and he came home to a great cheer.

“Yesterday we were hoping we’d win the Oaks (with Lush Lashes) but unfortunately she didn’t get home but we got some consolation in the Coronation Cup (breeding the winner Soldier Of Fortune) and that was a masterful training performance from Aidan O’Brien. But today is a bit better, it’s the best day I have had in racing.”

Manning added: “From a young age every jockey dreams of Epsom Derbys. There’s always pressure, you do get a bit worked up beforehand, but he is a very classy horse and made things easy. It’s nice to ride this type of horse rather than 33/1 chances.

“He has got little quirks like most good horse, he just has his moments like George Washington, but on the track he has no problems. He’s not a horse that has ever bolted to the start, he has never given me any bad vibes.

“I dropped him in behind, a bit further back than I’d wished, and he was taking a strong hold so had to drop him back but he got going from the top of the hill and it was a big relief to win.”

Owner Princess Haya of Jordan added: “I can’t tell anyone how excited I am to be here at the greatest sporting event in the world and I hope everyone here on the Downs has enjoyed it. The horse is so aptly named for Sheikh Mohammed.”

INITIAL WINNING QUOTES FROM THE CONNECTIONS OF THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY WINNER NEW APPROACH

“He’s just a very, very classy horse. He gets the mile and a half very well but he’s also a very pacy horse. To do what he did today, he had to be a pacy horse. I don’t know what the horse’s plans are, I’m just quite happy to ride him, but the ground in the Irish guineas was way too firm for him.

“It’s every jockey’s dream from the time you are a kid to win the Derby, an Irish Derby or English Derby or any of them, and it’s just fantastic to achieve it.”


Princess Haya, the winning owner, declared: “I don’t think he was a monkey. He had one way of running and they changed it at the last minute and he put up with that and showed that he has a brilliance in him that we never saw before.

“I think it’s such an amazing dream, I can’t believe it! Well, he’s Sheikh Mohammed’s horse and to think that we would have his Derby dream together, it’s wonderful.”


Sheikh Mohammed, Princess Haya’s husband, commented: “For a half mile he was pulling and I thought that with this pulling and fighting he would get tired but really he’s improved. He’s a great horse.”

MORE INITIAL QUOTES FROM THE WINNING CONNECTIONS OF THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY WINNER NEW APPROACH

FIFTH RACE RESULT
4.00pm THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY (GROUP ONE)

PLACE QUOTES

Race Five - Vodafone Derby (Group One)

STOUTE “DELIGHTED” WITH DERBY PAIR

The Spectrum colt, a Ballymacoll homebred full-brother to 2001 Vodafone Derby runner-up Golan, was unable to master the winner, who is himself a son of Golan’s Epsom nemesis, Galileo.

The Freemason Lodge handler was also responsible for fourth-placed Dr Fremantle, owned by Khalid Abdulla and beaten just under six lengths. The Chester Vase winner was a supplementary entry on Monday and the 11/2 shot recouped the £75,000 entry fee.

Stoute said: “Im delighted with both horses. I’d like to sit down and see the race again properly.

“From the angle I was at, I thought we might win but it was a bad angle.”

Peter Reynolds Stud Manager at Ballymacoll Stud, commented: “Ryan (Moore) said that the pace could have been slightly better but it was a good performance and we’re happy. The winner is a very good horse. Hopefully we’ll go to the Curragh now for the Irish Derby.”

A disappointed Moore said: “We just got done but he’s run a great race and we almost got there.”

Race 5 - Vodafone Derby (Group One) - placed quotes

CONQUEST A HORSE FOR THE FUTURE

He said: “I’m delighted for Jim Bolger and I’m delighted as an Irishman here today.

“Casual Conquest ran a great race in the third race of his life. He was a little bit inexperienced, which told but Pat (Smullen) gave him a perfect ride.”

Meanwhile Smullen, who was having his fourth ride in the race, added: “I had no excuses - Casual Conquest ran a blinder and he’s a horse for the future.

“He’ll get better and better and I couldn’t be more pleased without winning. I wouldn’t say that he didn’t stay, it’s just the fact that it was only his third race.”

Race 5 - Vodafone Derby (Group One)
MORE DERBY JOCKEY QUOTES

He added: “Rio De La Plata didn’t really handle the track, which was the main problem today. He travelled well until the two-furlong marker and he is really a miler or a 10-furlong horse.”

RACE FIVE: THE VODAFONE DERBY- UNPLACED QUOTES

REACTION TO THE VODAFONE DERBY - UNPLACED HORSES

Race 5 - Vodafone Derby (Group One)
BOOKMAKER REACTION

Neal Wilkins from Victor Chandler, who laid a £50,000 each-way bet at 6/1 on the winner, commented: “As soon as Mr Bolger made it clear that New Approach would take his chance in the race he was the medium of a real gamble and the placed horses, Tartan Bearer and Casual Conquest, were also very popular.”

Meanwhile Paddy Power spokesman Paddy Power said: “The result might not quite match Frankie Dettori winning his first Derby on Authorized last year, but it’s still caught us with our pants down.

“I was due to fly back to Dublin on Sunday morning but I’m now considering getting refunds on my hotel and flight, pitching a tent on the Downs and hitchhiking out of Epsom tomorrow!”

However, Ladbrokes were relieved that bigger Derby Day gambles went astray.

The firm’s David Williams explained: “After a roller-coaster week, we've come out of the Vodafone Derby in reasonable shape. That's not something we'd have expected to say when New Approach went into the winter as a red-hot favourite.

“The late money for Doctor Fremantle and Kandahar Run had us sweating up a bit, but on balance we've no complaints with the result.”

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Race 5: The Vodafone Derby
Winners Press Conference

JIM BOLGER EXPLAINS

“Anyway, moving in a little bit from there, when the cancellation stage [May 23] came up, I had four or five horses on the list to take out and to this day I don’t know why I didn’t take out New Approach. It was a genuine mistake. It was an embarrasment to me at the time. I just didn’t think that there was any chance that he would be running here. He was still in the list and...

“Move on three days after the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he hadn’t lost any weight, not even half a kilo. He was exactly the same weight two days after the Curragh as he was before the race. He was bucking and squealing by Wednesday and, at that stage, I thought about it for a few days because, in fairness to everyone involved, the owners of the horse and John Ferguson here on my left, I had to be sure of my ground before I made contact with John on the Sunday to see if they were in agreement with running the horse

“I said to Jackie [Bolger’s wife] after I spoke to John Ferguson, I don’t think this will be happening. I was thrilled to get the call back from John to tell me that if I was happy with the horse, the horse should run.”

Race 5: The Vodafone Derby
Winners Press Conference

FURTHER JIM BOLGER QUOTES

Bolger defended himself by adding that: “If you accept that the horse was left in through a genuine mistake it doesn’t look half as bad as you infer.”

Relationships between the trainer and journalists became heated as Bolger decided that the best form of defence against his actions was to attack and he repeatedly tried to pin down one journalist by saying “which statement do you have a problem with?”

Bolger insisted again that his early plans had not included the Epsom Derby: “Epsom was not on his agenda. Can I be more specific than that?”

The trainer, who also suggested that some of his comments had been misrepresented in the press, added that: “The general public haven’t been treated as less than grown-ups by me.”

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheik Mohammed, strongly supported Bolger’s version of events, adding that: “I know it doesn’t sound like it, but this is quite a happy day for us.”

An ill-tempered conference ended with the trainer saying:

“Isn’t it all’s well that ends well?”

Race 5: The Vodafone Derby
Winners Press Conference

KEVIN MANNING RACE QUOTES

“I wanted to get away from horses racing both sides and taking him on. But, when I got to the seven-furlong pole, I had him where I wanted him, though I was a little bit further out of my depth than I wanted to be. But riding the sort of horse that he is with so much pace...

“Just down the hill from when we left the sprint track on our right-hand side about four and a half out there were a lot of horses down on the fence a good bit ahead of me and I could see that were going fall back on my lap.

“Frankie’s horse [Rio De La Plata] was travelling well at the time and Richard Hills’ [Tajaaweed] was making ground with him and they took me through a lot of gaps and pockets.

“When I came down on the straight he made an awful lot of ground very quickly. I just let him angle across. I knew I had an awful lot of horse underneath me.”

Race 5 - Vodafone Derby (Group One)

MORE JIM BOLGER

“The credit has to go to Kevin Manning. I thought he had a very difficult time with him and it was a very brave decision to get behind a wall of horses coming around Tattenham corner. It was difficult, even with the ability that New Approach has, and it wasn’t going to be easy and keep things under control. But Kevin managed it extremely well and, for me, it was the best ride that I have ever seen around Epsom.

“We didn’t really keep him on the boil this season. He is a horse who doesn’t take a lot of fast work at home and he didn’t even do half-speed between the Irish 2,000 Guineas and here today, he was just cantering. I thought that was the best way to manage him and keep him settled and hope that he would be fit enough on the day and it’s turned out well.

“His mind does take a little bit of managing. I would be totally happy that any problems that he has are probably environmental. He was reared with a bell round his neck so that his mother, who was blind, wouldn’t step on him and he was never in a hard situation. It was a whole new ball game when we started to race him and I think, under the circumstances, he’s coping very well.

“After he ran the second time at the Curragh, he was a little bit strong and there was a danger that Kevin might not be able to pull him up on his next start and it was at that stage that we introduced him to the pony and, at this stage, we don’t intend to change it.

“You need a horse with a good turn of foot to win or nearly win the Guineas and if they have the stamina and things work out well in between, then you can come and win here. Vincent O’Brien did it majestically a few times, Nijinsky is one and El Gran Senor is another, and he probably had another couple who won Guineas and came here.

“People like Vincent laid the template for trainers nowadays. We are not in unchartered territory and if we bothered to look back at some of the great trainers of the past it shows us the way.

“New Approach is very different to any horse I have had before but we are very fortunate that he is a hardy horse who takes his racing well and has a good constitution. He can be a little bit of a bully sometimes as far as humans are concerned but we just have to put up with that and work around it.

“He’s had two hard races this season. He didn’t have a hard race at the Curragh where Kevin wasn’t too hard on him and he didn’t lose any weight and three days after the race he was bucking and squealing. It was at that stage that I began to think about coming here. Hopefully he’ll go for the Irish Derby now.

“I will be talking to John Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed about it but maybe York could be a possibility and then the Irish Champion Stakes. The King George is another possibility but there are plenty of races and then he could finish off in the Arc. At that stage he will be handed over to Godolphin, so we’re honoured to have him for his three-year-old campaign.

“He doesn’t like firm ground and it was really firm at the Curragh, unnecessarily so. He wont race on firm ground, but only on good ground or worse, then we will be happy to go for those races.”

MANNING BANNED

IRISH DERBY NEXT FOR APPROACH

O’SHEA AND AHERN BANNED

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

PERFECT GROUND IN PROSPECT

At 10am this morning, Andrew Cooper, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing, sent his team out to take the 60-plus measurements necessary to determine the GoingStick reading which came out at 8.0, confirming the going as GOOD.

“The course still walks very similar to yesterday - good, and if anything slightly on the slow side of good - but the GoingStick reading suggests that more moisture has come out of the ground. With no rain forecast, the ground could dry up a little more,” said Cooper.

“We have also removed the false rail on the far side which was used yesterday and there is fresh ground on the inside from the mile marker to the seven-furlong post, and from the six-furlong post to the finish. This strip is about five yards wide at the mile marker and slightly wider in the straight,” said Cooper.

Conditions on the five-furlong course, where the runners come down the hill, are marginally faster.

“The water tends to drain towards the inside rail, so the quickest part of the sprint course will be towards the stands’ rail, where there are the odd good to firm places,” said Cooper.

MULRENNAN LOOKING FORWARD TO FIRST VODAFONE DERBY MOUNT

The 26-year-old partnered Mark Tompkin’s charge to finish fourth behind Aidan O’Brien’s Derby contenders Alessandro Volta and King Of Rome in the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 10 and is hoping that the 250/1 outsider can spring a surprise.

“I can’t wait to ride in the Vodafone Derby - I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve just walked the track and the ground is perfect for Alan Devonshire, it’s dried out nicely,” said the rider.

“We’ve no plans yet but we’ve got a good draw - most of the fancied horses seem to be drawn near me so I’ll just try to tag onto Johnny Murtagh!

“It’s great to be riding in the Vodafone Derby because it’s probably the biggest Flat race in the world, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’m hoping that we’ll get a good run. I don’t think he’s a 250/1 shot, so hopefully he can give a good account of himself.”

RIVER PROUD OUT OF VODAFONE DERBY

The Paul Cole-trained colt, supplemented for the race at a cost of £75,000 on Monday, was found to be slightly lame yesterday.

NON-RUNNERS

Race 2 - 2.10pm Woodcote Stakes (Listed Race)
6 Peninsular War

Race 4 - 3.15pm totesport.com ‘Dash’ (Heritage Handicap)
12 How’s She Cuttin’

Race 5 - 4.00pm Vodafone Derby (Group One)
14 River Proud

Race 7 - Prince’s Stand Handicap
1 Rising Shadow
4 Skhilling Spirit
8 Angus Newz
10 Jilly Why
17 Prince Namid

LOOKING HIGH IN THE DASH

Canadian Danehill (18) has also been a mover with totesport, in from 25/1 to 22/1, while Corals have seen punters opt for Fathom Five (20), 10/1 to 8/1, and Merlin’s Dancer (19), 18/1 to 14/1. Merlin’s Dancer has also been backed with Ladbrokes, but the horse spooking that company is the Pricewise selection Evens And Odds (15), from the Kevin Ryan stable. “It’s been backed from 25/1 to 16/1 and is our nightmare,” said David Williams of Ladbrokes.

Just about the only interest in horses drawn lower than 10 in the Dash is with Stan James UK who have seen a significant move for Bond City (9) who is in to 16/1 from 22/1.

Twice in the last four years, Sir Michael Stoute has started Epsom Derby Day with a winner, and odds about the distinguished trainer claiming the Epsom opener again are shortening by the hour. Paddy Power rates Conduit, in the totesportCasino.com handicap (1:40pm), “the best-backed horse of the day by miles” and have shortened the three-year-old from 13/8 to 11/8. William Hill is showing 5/4 and Stan James stands alone holding Conduit at 6/4.

TARTAN BEARER OF GOOD NEWS?

Despite the support for Tartan Bearer, Casual Conquest still holds his place at the head of the market. The Dermot Weld-trained horse is available at 4/1 with Hills, totesport and Ladbrokes, though Paddy Power are showing 9/2.

Corals report a near complete lack of interest in New Approach, after plenty of money had come for the Jim Bolger-trained horse earlier in the week. They have eased the horse from 5/1 to 6/1. Curtain Call, from the Luca Cumani stable, is also slipping down the pecking order. Generally thought of as a horse that would benefit from any give, the drying of the ground has seen him easing from 9/2 to 5/1 with Hills.

Henry Cecil, like Stoute, already has four Vodafone Derby winners in the bank and Kandahar Run has more than a few friends in the market who think he’ll bring the Warren Place handler a fifth. Hills have taken money at 20/1 and totesport, who were showing the same price, have now shortened the horse to 16/1. Damian Walker, at totesport, also expects to see some late money for the Frankie Dettori mount Rio De La Plata. “We’ve shortened it from 22/1 to 18/1, but it could easily start at 14/1 or less as the public inevitably latch on to Frankie,” said Walker.

Stan James UK have decided it’s time to cut their liabilities on Maidstone Mixture and have halved the horse’s odds. If you want to back the Paul Murphy-trained horse with that company now, you’ll only get 500/1. Don’t worry though, there’s plenty of 1000/1 available elsewhere.

DERBY DAY 2008
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EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

LOOK HERE ENDS 170-YEAR OAKS DROUGHT FOR SENIOR STEWARDS

Richmond-Watson is the first serving Senior Steward to win the Oaks since the Earl of Chesterfield’s Industry was saddled to victory by John Scott in 1838.

The Earl of Chesterfield was the first elected Senior Steward of the Jockey Club while Richmond-Watson took on the role in July, 2003, and retires next year.

DERBY DAY 2008
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EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

STAR SIGNS MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE VODAFONE DERBY?

Of the 16 runners for this year’s Classic, four are Pisces, Bashkirov, Bouguereau, Frozen Fire and Alan Devonshire, who shares his date of birth, February 27, with 2000 winner Sinndar.

Those born between January 20 and February 18 (Aquarius) have won six of the last 20 renewals and this year’s market leaders Casual Conquest, Curtain Call, New Approach and Doctor Fremantle, are among the seven Aquarians in the field.

Only two from the Aries banner have been successful in the last 20 runnings of the Vodafone Derby, but with four runners this year, Kandahar Run, Rio De La Plata, King Of Rome and Tartan Bearer, that might have increased by Saturday evening.

Those born under the Taurus sign have won the Classic five times in the same period but that sign is not represented in this year’s field, while a similar comment applies to Gemini, who has had one winner.

There has not been a winner born earlier than January 27 in the last 20 years, but the sole Capricorn (December 22 - January 19) entrant, Washington Irving, will be bidding to buck that trend.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
Washington Irving - January 14

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Tajaaweed - January 25
Casual Conquest - January 26
Doctor Fremantle - January 29
Curtain Call - January 31
Maidstone Mixture - February 3
Alessandro Volta - February 11
New Approach - February 18

Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
Frozen Fire - February 19
Bouguereau - February 21
Alan Devonshire - February 27
Bashkirov - March 20

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Rio De La Plate - March 26
Tartan Bearer - March 29
King Of Rome - April 8
Kandahar Run - April 13

STALL 10 COULD BE PERFECT

However, more interesting is the fact that seven of the winners in the last 25 years have been drawn in stall 10, something that will please Irish trainer Dermot Weld, whose market leader Casual Conquest has been allocated the lucky stall.

Last year Frankie Dettori and Authorized broke from stall 14 before going on to victory in the Classic. On Saturday, Dettori will be hoping to become the first winner for more than 25 years to break from gate 17, while Ryan Moore will be going for two-in-a-row from 14 with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Tartan Bearer.

Meanwhile, Johnny Murtagh, the most successful current jockey in the Vodafone Derby, has won from five (Motivator, 2005), nine (High Chaparral, 2002) and 15 (Sinndar, 2000), but this year will be breaking from 11 with King Of Rome. During the same period, stall 11 has failed to produce a winner.

The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach has been drawn in stall three, from where Slip Anchor was the most recent winner back in 1985.

Luca Cumani, successful from stall 14 with High-Rise in 1998 and 13 with Kahyasi in 1988, saddles Curtain Call, who will break from stall six, the winning starting point for Stoute’s North Light in 2004.

Along with stall 14, two winners have also come from stall four (Kris Kin, 2003 and Dr Devious, 1992) and stall nine (High Chaparral, 2002 and Shaamit, 1996) in the last quarter of a century. Paul Cole’s River Proud was allocated four on Thursday but is now a non-runner, while Aidan O’Brien’s pacemaker Bashkirov will start from nine.

THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY
Class 1, Group 1, £1,413,500 Total Prize Fund, 4.00pm, Epsom Downs, Saturday, June 7, 2008. For three-year-olds only, entire colts & fillies, one mile, four furlongs & 10yds. Weights: colts 9st. Entries closed December 6, 2006, (465 entries). First forfeit stage March 4, 2008 (125 remained), £8,000 second entry stage April 8, 2008 (13 second entries), second forfeit stage May 23, 2008 (21 remained), £75,000 supplementary entry stage June 2, 2008 (3 supplementary entries -Casual Conquest, Doctor Fremantle and River Proud). Five/six-day confirmation stage June 2, 2008 (15 remained), final declaration stage 10am, June 5, 2008 (17 declared). Form figures supplied by Weatherbys and are correct up to and including the racing of Wednesday, Friday 6, 2008. May not include some overseas form.

Form Horse Owner Trainer/Jockey/Draw
1) 1223-4 ALAN DEVONSHIRE Russell Trew Ltd Mark Tompkins/Paul Mulrennan 12
2) 031-41 ALESSANDRO VOLTA Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/Seamus Heffernan 1
3) 34-53 BASHKIROV Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/ David McCabe 9
4) 043-120 BOUGUEREAU Andrew Black Peter Chapple-Hyam/Alan Munro 2
5) 1-1 CASUAL CONQUEST (IRE) Moyglare Stud Farms Dermot Weld IRE/Pat Smullen 10
6) 62215-1 CURTAIN CALL (FR) Juliet Cooper and Partners Luca Cumani/Jamie Spencer 6
7) 221-21 DOCTOR FREMANTLE Khalid Abdulla Sir Michael Stoute/Kerrin McEvoy 13
8) 10-2 FROZEN FIRE (GER) Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE/Michael Kinane 15
9) 211-21 KANDAHAR RUN Gestut Ammerland Henry Cecil/Ted Durcan 8
10) 010-52 KING OF ROME (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/Johnny Murtagh 11
11) 36(0)-(5)(3)0(3) MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR) Fergus Wilson Paul Murphy/Michael O’Connell 7
12) 11111-22 NEW APPROACH (IRE) H R H Princess Haya of Jordan Jim Bolger IRE/Kevin Manning 3
13) 311214-2 RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) Godolphin Saeed bin Suroor/Frankie Dettori 17
NON-RUNNER 14) 12010-43 RIVER PROUD (USA) Lorraine Spencer Paul Cole/Richard Quinn 4 NON-RUNNER
15) 10-1 TAJAAWEED (USA) Hamdan Al Maktoum Sir Michael Stoute/Richard Hills 5
16) 2-11 TARTAN BEARER (IRE) Ballymacoll Stud Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore 14
17) 4-22 WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE) Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE/Colm O’Donoghue 16

17 declared to run on Thursday, one non-runner River Proud
7 Irish-trained

VODAFONE DERBY TIMING

The slowest Derby time since 1900 came in 1983 when Teenoso was successful in 2m 49.07s and then in 1926 when Coronach took 2m 47.8s to complete the course and in 1924 when Sansovino scored in 2m 46.6s.

Bremont, the official timing sponsor at the 2008 Derby Festival, is one of the few British watch companies and was founded five years ago by Nick and Giles English.

They are proud to have become the initial official timing partner of the Epsom Derby

They make beautiful handmade mechanical watches that retail through a select number of exclusive jewellers around the world.

Bremont’s tagline is “tested beyond endurance” and Nick and Giles felt that there was a strong synergy with the Derby as it is one of the most testing races and a great British event. In horseracing, time is everything.

Giles English's wife Kate will be presenting a Bremont watch to the winning jockey, owner and trainer of the 2008 Vodafone Derby.

GLOBAL TRIFECTA ON OFFER FOR THE VODAFONE DERBY

RECORD OF SUPPLEMENTED HORSES IN THE VODAFONE DERBY WHO WERE ENTERED EITHER FIVE DAYS OR A WEEK BEFORE

2008 VODAFONE DERBY LANDMARKS

Youngest trainer: Paul Murphy (Maidstone Mixture), 33.

Most successful trainers: Henry Cecil (Kandahar Run) has won 4 times from 27 runners. Sir Michael Stoute (Doctor Fremantle, Tartan Bearer and Tajaaweed) has won the race 4 times from 30 runners.

Least successful trainer: Mark Tompkins (Alan Devonshire), no wins from 5 runners.

Horses

Biggest earner: New Approach £494,272

Lowest earner: Bashkirov £1,974

Dearest horse: Alessandro Volta, Bashkirov 300,000 guineas

Cheapest horse: Maidstone Mixture 8,000 euros

Oldest horse: Washington Irving (born January 14, 2005)

Youngest horse: Kandahar Run (born April 13, 2005)

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Race 1: totesportcasino.com Handicap
Winners Quotes

CONDUIT SLUICES UP

Conduit, who carried a pound overweight, went from last to first in the final two furlongs under a confident ride by jockey Ryan Moore. “It probably wasn’t the strongest race for the grade, but he’s done it very well. At the moment, he’s a handicapper, but we hope he’ll progress,” said the jockey.

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute, whose Tartan Bearer goes in the Vodafone Derby, was complimentary of the horse, without going overboard. “He’s a very well balance horse,” he said.

The horse had not elected to come down the middle of the course, explained the trainer, “We were just outpaced early and he just had to pull him wide,” he said.

Moore was unworried when the horse did not go the pace. “My fella stays very well,” he said.

The jockey also stated that the ground was riding good and would be fine for Tartan Bearer in the premier Classic.

Peter Reynolds of the Ballymacoll Stud, which owns the horse said: “Conduit is closely related to Hard Top and I see no reason why he shouldn’t get a mile and a half.”

This is the third Sir Michael Stoute-trained winner of this race in the last five runnings following Stage Gift, also owned by Ballynacoll Stud, in 2006 and Lord Mayor in 2004.

Race 1 - totesportcasino.com Stakes - placed quotes

RAMONA PLEASES CONNECTIONS

Richard Hughes settled the son of Derby winner High Chaparral in mid-division before switching off the rail three furlongs from home to lay down his challenge and just got up for second in the shadow of the post.

“Ramona Chase has run another great race but he’s giving the winner almost a stone. We just bumped into a well-handicapped horse. Another one of Sir Michael Stoute’s (Dr Faustus) beat him at Newmarket two starts back,” explained Kirk.

“It’s unfortunate because he’s a tough horse and deserves to win a nice race. Richard (Hughes) was happy with him and said that he had every chance but just came up against a well-handicapped one today.”

PLACE QUOTES
Race one - totesportcasino.com Heritage Handicap

The Montjeu colt, successful over a mile as a juvenile last year, was stepping down to 10 furlongs, having finished third over a furlong and a half further at Windsor in May.

Jarvis said: “I’m happy with his run. He really wants a mile and a half and cut in the ground, so we’ll take him home and see where we go next.”

West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon is considering a date at Royal Ascot for the gallant Siberian Tiger.

The Xaar colt, a Listed winner at Pontefract in October, made a bold bid for home under Darryll Holland before fading inside the distance to finish fourth.

Channon commented: “I’m delighted with the horse. He’s in good form as you can see and that was a good run giving a stone to the winner.

“He’s a class horse but he’s hard to place - the biggest problem we have is that he’s perhaps too highly rated.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do with him. I don’t know whether we’ll step him back up to Listed grade. There’s a possibility he could go for the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

GOING REPORT AFTER THE FIRST

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 7

RACE TWO: THE WOODCOTE STAKES
WIN QUOTES

STORM HITS EPSOM!

The One Cool Cat colt had been second at Goodwood to subsequent National Stakes winner Icesolator and franked the form under Alan Munro today.

Munro always had his mount where he wanted, travelling close to the rail and Smokey Storm skipped clear to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths from Indian Art.

Jarvis said: “I’m really thrilled and it was a very impressive performance. He is pretty progressive and I thought he put this race to bed one-and-a-half lengths from home.

“I know the owners are keen to go to Ascot. I won’t be quite so keen and will have to do some explaining to them! Historically, horses have a bad record going on to Royal Ascot after winning the Woodcote.

“He is in a Group Two (the Railway Stakes at the Curragh) in Ireland on June 29 which might be the next race for him.

“He is a very tough horse - very professional - and well bought for 22,000gns by Tom Goff of Blandford Bloodstock.

“It is lovely to have a winner on Derby Day and I’m delighted.”

PLACE QUOTES
Race Two - Woodcote Stakes (Listed)

Indian Art, a winner at Goodwood last time, stayed on strongly from his 10 draw to snatch second by a nose from third-placed Able Master, two and a quarter lengths behind the victorious Smokey Storm.

Roly Boy, who was also drawn wide in 11, kept on well to finish a further half-length back.

Hannon said: “Both horses ran well and I’m very pleased. Neither one of them had the draw in their favour and were always playing catch-up.

“Indian Art really finished well and I think we’ll look at seven furlongs for the two of them, although they won’t be going to Royal Ascot.

“I’ll have a look at seven furlong races like the Washington Singer at Newbury.”

Ron Hull, owner of third-placed Able Master, said: “He’s run a great race given that he was having to give them all 5lbs and we were only just beaten for second.

“We will keep going in these sort of races and hopefully one day we might win one.”

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Race Three - Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group Three)

QUEALLY STEALS IT ON LADY GLORIA

Sent to the front early, the James Given-trained four-year-old, a professed soft ground lover, dug deep in the run to the line to repel her rivals and land the extended mile contest.

Queally commented: "Last time out she got left and the aim today was to roll along in front. She's very game and I wanted to get her well on the stretch coming down the hill and in fairness to her she handed me a lovely ride.

"She got going nicely and she pointed her toe well through the last furlong. I didn't know if I had got there or not because it's a funny angle but she's tough. She hasn't got her ground yet because she loves some ease and I had my doubts if she would handle the track or not but she did."

The 7/1 shot, successful in a Listed race on very soft going at Fontainebleau in November, finished runner-up to hot-pot Bankable at Goodwood last Saturday, a race in which nothing went as planned.

The winning trainer said: "Tom gave her a great ride today. The tactics last time out at Goodwood were not what we wanted as she likes to bowl along in front like she did here.

"She was a 7/1 chance and sometimes when horses are less fancied they tend to be ignored. She slipped the field in front and kept lengthening to the line.

"That's not to take anything away from her - she's admirably tough. She's a Listed winner, a Group winner and Listed-placed twice.

"Her last race wasn't given the credit it deserved as she beat a load of colts, which is always hard for a filly to do. Things didn't go to plan that day as she fell asleep in the stalls and had to chase from behind.

"She's entered for a race in Europe, which she could go for. I have always felt that she was ground dependent but today has given encouragement to try again on good ground."

LEMAIRE PRAISES FRENCH FILLY

RACE THREE: THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES (sponsored by Vodafone)
PLACE QUOTES

The Jean Claude Rouget-trained four-year-old rattled home but just couldn't get to the front-running Lady Gloria.

Lemaire said: "She was relaxed in the early part of the race but wasn't very balanced turning in.

"She then came with a very good effort but was looking in every way at all the people."


Richard Hannon, trainer of fourth-placed Selinka, said: "She will come on a lot for the run and will go to Royal Ascot next for the Windsor Forest."

Race 3 - Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group Three) - placed quotes

WADHAM THRILLED WITH IN-FOAL ENFORCE

The five-year-old daughter of Kalanisi was settled in fourth throughout by William Buick before laying down her challenge at the two-furlong pole. Hard as she tried, she was still half a length and a short-head in arrears of Lady Gloria and Cicerole at the line.

It would have been a fairytale story for her owners had Enforce won, because she is in-foal to 2006 Vodafone Derby winner Sir Percy, who also carried the colours of Anthony and Victoria Pakenham.

Her trainer enthused: "We're thrilled with the way that Enforce ran. She beat the winner, Lady Gloria, last time at Goodwood but it was a slightly muddling pace today.

"We feel that maybe with a different pace, it could have been a different result because there's only half a length and a short-head in it at the line.

"William (Buick) said that he got a good run through but said that he could have done with a truer pace. But he's also thrilled with her and she's run a brilliant race.

"It's fantastic to get black-type because she's 50 days in-foal to Sir Percy. We'll hopefully take her now to Royal Ascot for the Windsor Forest Stakes."

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

Race 4 - totesport.com `Dash' Heritage Handicap - winner quotes

BUICK RIDES FIRST EPSOM WINNER

On just his fifth ride at the course, Buick was delighted to enjoy his first success on Derby Day.

He said: "It's good to have my first winner at Epsom, particularly on Derby Day. He jumped out of the stalls, travelled well and got in to a good position before staying on in the final furlong.

"I was fourth in the Dash on Holbeck Ghyll last year so it was nice to come back and win the race this year."

Trainer Andrew Balding was delighted with the ride given by Buick but was also quick to pay tribute to groom Melvyn Rhodes, who has worked at Kingsclere for "years and years".

"Melvyn rides the horse every day and has done a terrific job with him," said Balding.

"Everything panned out well in the race. They've gone a million miles an hour and he's just been able to get the perfect tow. The way they spread out across the track made it easier to get to the stands' rail, or as near as possible.

"The stands' side always has the advantage I think because the water drains down that way.

"I'm very, very please with Holbeck Ghyll. That race was the plan all along so I'm not sure where he'll go from here. I'll probably put him in the Stewards' Cup."

FOURTH RACE PLACED QUOTES
THE TOTESPORT.COM DASH

MERLIN'S SO CLOSE TO LOCAL SUCCESS

"He put in a fantastic effort and was entitled to given his record in the race," said Dow. "He was eighth for me last year and was in the same position in 2006 when with Dandy Nicholls but both times it was from a bad draw.

"We thought that maybe this could be our year because he'd come down 10lb and been running well enough recently. He's got bags of pace and unfortunately there's only really one race a year for him at Epsom. I should think he'll go for the second division of the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood now."

Tom Gittins, who manages the syndicate who owned third-placed Safari Mischief, said: "He's just small compared to a lot of these sprinters but ran his heart out. He showed he's definitely up to this level and will go for all the big sprint handicaps."

Last year's winner Hogmaneigh finished fourth and his trainer Stuart Williams said: "The ground had just dried out a bit for him, if we'd had a splash more rain it would have slowed the others down. Saleem (Golam) gave him a great ride again and I've no complaints.

"He doesn't like Ascot and he might go for the Rockingham at the Curragh again but the ground will really determine where he heads, he'll go wherever it's on the soft side of good."

Adele Rothery, rider of long-time leader Masta Plasta, said: "He was out on his own for a long while and probably could have done with a bit of company. But he has run a blinder from his draw and there is another nice race to be won with him."

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 7

RACE SIX: NORTHERN DANCER STAKES (HANDICAP) -
WIN QUOTES

BUREAUCRAT OFFERS CRUMB OF COMFORT TO SPENCER

Spencer was on board the Philip Hobbs-trained Bureaucrat, who narrowly prevailed from Aureate in a thrilling conclusion to the contest staged over the Derby trip.

The Irish jockey was all out in the final stages to boot home his mount, who was returning to the Flat after 988 days.

Spencer said of the 11/1 winner: “It’s three years since he ran (on the Flat) but obviously he has improved!

“He was shaking at the start and I was saying to him ‘What are you worried about?’ It’s just grand to win on him.”

Asked to comment on the effort of Curtain Call - 10th in the Derby - Spencer simply offered: “It was just disappointing.”

Sarah Hobbs, wife of the winning trainer, said: “Jamie just settled him and he said that he didn’t think the horse had much there half-way round. But when he asked him, he quickened up nicely, although he was never going to win easily.”

Explaining her husband’s absence, she added: “Philip is at Worcester where we’re running two.”

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS SATURDAY, JUNE 7

WIN QUOTES

Race Seven - The Prince’s Stand Handicap

WOKINGHAM NEXT FOR MAC GILLE EOIN

The Moreton-In-Marsh handler declared: “That was fantastic! It doesn’t get better than this - to win on Derby day. I can take the scarf and gloves off my staff now because we’re off the cold trainers’ list.

“Hopefully he’ll get in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot now and the faster the better. I trained him for today, with the Wokingham in mind.”

Mac Gille Eoin, an 11/1 chance, improved on his eighth in an Ascot handicap last month to take the six-furlong contest under Jim Crowley.

Gallagher continued: “He was fit and well for his Ascot run last time but he spread a plate and it was his first run of the year.

“I almost ran him at Goodwood last week on good to soft and I was kicking myself when I didn’t because I thought he would have won there. As the week went on and the sun came out, the ground dried up and I stopped kicking myself.

“This is my first runner here under a full licence but I did have one a very long time ago under permit.”

Crowley tracked the pace-setting Idle Power into the straight aboard the winner and soon passed that rival as he kicked for home to register a length and a half success.

The jockey said: “Mac Gille Eoin has run a fantastic race. I was a bit disappointed with him the last time he ran. I dropped him out that day because he’s won from the front and behind but I felt a few times that, when he’s run from the front, he’s done too much.

“The last run left him spot on for today and he’s a decent horse on his day. He’s done it very well here."

DERBY DAY 2008
RACENEWS RACECOURSE SERVICE
EPSOM DOWNS, SATURDAY, JUNE 7

RIVER PROUD OUT OF VODAFONE DERBY

The Paul Cole-trained colt, supplemented for the race at a cost of £75,000 on Monday, was found to be slightly lame yesterday.

NON-RUNNERS

Race 2 - 2.10pm Woodcote Stakes (Listed Race)
6 Peninsular War

Race 4 - 3.15pm totesport.com ‘Dash’ (Heritage Handicap)
12 How’s She Cuttin’

Race 5 - 4.00pm Vodafone Derby (Group One)
14 River Proud

Race 7 - Prince’s Stand Handicap
1 Rising Shadow
4 Skhilling Spirit
8 Angus Newz
10 Jilly Why
17 Prince Namid

FIRST RACE RESULT

1.40pm TOTESPORTCASINO.COM HERITAGE HANDICAP

SECOND RACE RESULT

2.10pm WOODCOTE STAKES (LISTED)

THIRD RACE RESULT

2.40pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES (GROUP THREE)

FOURTH RACE RESULT
3.15pm TOTESPORT.COM 'DASH' HERITAGE HANDICAP

FIFTH RACE RESULT
4.00pm THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY (GROUP ONE)

SIXTH RACE RESULT

4.45pm NORTHERN DANCER HANDICAP

SEVENTH RACE RESULT

5.20pm PRINCE'S STAND HANDICAP

LEADING TRAINER - FINAL STANDINGS

LEADING JOCKEY - FINAL STANDINGS

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