NEW APPROACH WINS THE VODAFONE DERBY ON SATURDAY, JUNE 7

All the news, background and result

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

NEW APPROACH (IRE) - THE 2008 VODAFONE DERBY WINNER

ch c Galileo (IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)
Form: 11111-221 Owner: H R H Princess Haya Of Jordan
Trainer: Jim Bolger IRE
Jockey: Kevin Manning Breeder: Lodge Park Stud

New Approach
New Approach ended the 2007 season as Europe's champion two-year-old, with an unblemished record of five victories, all at seven furlongs. The colt was bred by Seamus Burns’ Lodge Park Stud and made 430,000 euros as a yearling at Goffs in September, 2006. The Coolcullen handler had trained New Approach's dam, the 1986 Irish Champion Stakes heroine Park Express who has turned out to be an exceptional broodmare. The strapping chestnut colt is a half-brother to the high-class filly Dazzling Park (also trained by Bolger) and the top Japanese sprinter Shinko Forest. Last term, New Approach followed the exact same race programme as Bolger's champion juvenile of the previous season, Teofilo, commencing with a two-length maiden triumph on heavy ground at the Curragh on July 15. An all the way win in the Group Three Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown followed 13 days later and, returned to the Curragh on August 25, New Approach slammed Curtain Call and Henrythenavigator in the Group Two Futurity Stakes. New Approach stepped up to Group One level in the National Stakes on September 16 and looked exceptional in handing a length and three quarters defeat to Rio De La Plata, with fellow Group One winner Myboycharlie in third. The Galileo colt again put the best of his peers to the sword on October 20, in the Group One Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Unable to take up his customary front-running role, New Approach showed the qualities of a champion in battling to a half-length victory over Fast Company, with Raven's Pass third and Rio De La Plata fourth. Breeder Seamus Burns retained a half-share in New Approach after he went through Goffs as a yearling, owning the colt in partnership with trainer Jim Bolger’s wife Jackie. Burns sold his share to Sheikh Mohammed before New Approach’s National Stakes victory while the Bolgers sold their interest to the same owner prior to last year’s Darley Dewhurst Stakes. New Approach, who is racing this year in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s wife Princess Haya Of Jordan, reappeared in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he was headed in the final furlong to go down by a nose to Henrythenavigator. He took on the same rival three weeks later in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, again finishing second with a length and three-quarters splitting the pair this time. Trainer Jim Bolger suggested in April that New Approach would miss the Vodafone Derby and but announced the colt would run at Epsom on Monday. It was a decision which has paid off.
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

The Jim Bolger-trained New Approach - who a week ago was not going to contest the Vodafone Derby - ran out a brilliant winner in the 229th running of the Classic at Epsom when holding off the fast-finishing Tartan Bearer by half a length. Bolger’s son-in-law Kevin Manning was in the saddle.

“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

Kevin Manning, the winning rider, said of New Approach moving up in the straight: “I ran down behind the heels of four horses. The camber was hanging in and I didn’t think there was plenty of room on the inside so I just got out and kept his momentum up and then I rolled him onto the fence.

“It’s just great to win because there has been so much hype with the horse and it’s great to get him here and get the job done. He’s done nothing wrong in either of the Guineas and he’s proved it today.

“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

Jim Bolger, the winning trainer, said: “There was no problem with us, everything was very calm and everything went to plan.

“There was no excitement and we just got the job done and that was it. Coming out of the stables we noticed that he had a bit of paper on his foot on the way up so we wanted to get rid of it, which was a mistake because when we stopped to dig it out his foot, he stopped. But after that he walked on and we didn’t have too many anxious moments after that.

“We knew he would lob down because we’ve been settling him recently so I was never too concerned about that. Kevin really starred today. He kept his cool, did everything right and didn’t panic. He had a huge job trying to manage and steer him and he got it done in great style.

“The victory is very special. I thought before the race that it would be up there with the best, but I very willingly say it is the best.

“The decision to leave him in was the biggest mistake I have made in a long time but it was fortuitous one and has worked out for the best. I am just extremely lucky and thankful that I did make the mistake. I admitted the mistake from the word go and I don’t see why people should have had such a big problem when I put my hand up and admitted the mistake.”

Winning groom Pat O’Donovan said: “It’s fantastic, a brilliant performance! New Approach is okay to work with and once you know his moves, he’s straightforward enough.

“I was never worried about him today. We took him out this morning and he behaved perfectly well. He did the same as when you saw him walk to the start and he operated perfectly well throughout the race.”

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

£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). Penalty Value 1st £802,443.95; 2nd £304,185.20; 3rd £152,233.95; 4th £75,905.95; 5th £38,023.15; 6th £19,082.25

1 NEW APPROACH (IRE) (HRH Princess Haya Of Jordan) Jim Bolger 3-9-0 Kevin Manning [3] 5/1
2 TARTAN BEARER (IRE) (Ballymacoll Stud) Sir Michael Stoute 3-9-0 Ryan Moore [14] 6/1
3 CASUAL CONQUEST (IRE) (Moyglare Stud Farm) Dermot Weld IRE 3-9-0 Pat Smullen [10] 9/2 Fav
4 DOCTOR FREMANTLE (Khalid Abdulla) Sir Michael Stoute 3-9-0 Kerrin McEvoy [13] 11/2
5 WASHINGTON IRVING (IRE) (Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-0 Colm O'Donoghue [16] 33/1
6 ALESSANDRO VOLTA (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-0 Seamus Heffernan [1] 33/1
7 RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 3-9-0 Frankie Dettori [17] 20/1
8 TAJAAWEED (USA) (Hamdan Al Maktoum) Sir Michael Stoute 3-9-0 Richard Hills [5] 10/1
9 BOUGUEREAU (Andrew Black) Peter Chapple-Hyam 3-9-0 Alan Munro [2] 100/1
10 CURTAIN CALL (FR) (Juliet Cooper & Partners) Luca Cumani 3-9-0 Jamie Spencer [6] 7/1
11 FROZEN FIRE (GER) (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-0 Michael Kinane [15] 16/1
12 KING OF ROME (IRE) (Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor) A P O'Brien IRE 3-9-0 Johnny Murtagh [11] 16/1
13 ALAN DEVONSHIRE (Russell Trew Ltd) Mark Tompkins 3-9-0 Paul Mulrennan [12] 100/1
14 KANDAHAR RUN (Gestut Ammerland) Henry Cecil 3-9-0 Ted Durcan [8] 11/1
15 BASHKIROV (Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier) Aidan O'Brien IRE 3-9-0 David McCabe [9] 125/1
16 MAIDSTONE MIXTURE (FR) (Fergus Wilson) Paul Murphy 3-9-0 Michael O'Connell [7] 250/1

16 ran Non-runner: 14 River Proud

Distances: 0.5, 4.5, 1.5, 0.75, sh, 1, 0.5, 0.5, 1.25, 1.25, 9, 4.5, 14, 11, dist

Time: 2m 36.50s

Breeder: Lodge Park Stud

Breeding: ch c Galileo (IRE) - Park Express (Ahonoora)

Totes: Win: £5.80 Places: £2.30; £3.20; £1.50 Exacta: £42.80

Trainer:- Name: Bolger, Jim (James) Born: County Wexford, December 25, 1941 Based: Glebe House, Coolcullen, Co. Carlow, Ireland First Winner: Peaceful Pleasure, Roscommon, September 20, 1976 Classic Winners: Vodafone Derby (2008 New Approach), Irish Derby (1992 St. Jovite), Vodafone Oaks (1991 Jet Ski Lady); Irish Oaks (1983 Give Thanks; 2002 Margarula), 1000 Guineas (2007 Finsceal Beo), Irish 1000 Guineas (2007 Finsceal Beo) Other Major Wins: Anglesey Sdtakes (1991 St Jovite); Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2004 Alexander Goldrun), Craven Stakes (2005 Democratic Deficit), Darley Dewhurst Stakes (2006 Teofilo, 2007 New Approach), Debutante Stakes (2006 Gaudeamus); Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (1992 St Jovite); Futurity Stakes (1991 StJovite, 2006 Teofilo); Coronation Stakes (1983 Flame Of Tara), Queen Alexandra Stakes (1991 Easy To Please, 1993 Riszard), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1992 St Jovite); Meld Stakes (2006 Heliostatic); National Stakes (2006 Teofilo, 2007 New Approach); Prix de l’Opera (2004 Alexander Goldrun); Prix Marcel Boussac (2006 Finsceal Beo); Rockfel Stakes (2006 Finsceal Beo); Vodafone Nassau Stakes (1986 Park Express, 2005 Alexander Goldrun), Phoenix Stakes (2007 Saoirse Abu), Moyglare Stud Stakes (2007 Saoirse Abu) Wins in Britain (2005-2007): 2; 2; 2; Wins in Britain this year: 2

Winning jockey:-Name: Manning, Kevin James Born: March 7, 1967 Based: Blackmiller Hill, Kildare, Ireland First Winner: Keynes (The Curragh, April 23, 1983) Background: 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. English Classic Winners (2): 1,000 Guineas (2007 Finsceal Beo), Vodafone Derby (2008 New Approach) Big Race Wins: Irish Oaks (2002 Margarula); Irish 1,000 Guineas (2007 Finsceal Beo), Ballycorus Stakes (2005 Democratic Deficit), Ballysax Stakes (2006 Rhythm N’ Roots), Brownstown Stakes (2004 Tropical Lady), Concorde Stakes (2002 Marionnaud), Craven Stakes (2005 Democratic Deficit), Darley Dewhurst Stakes (2006 Teofilo, 2007 New Approach), Debutante Stakes (2006 Gaudeamus), Hong Kong Cup (2004 Alexander Goldrun), Meld Stakes (2005 Tropical Lady, 2006 Heliostatic), Minstrel Stakes (2003 Avorado), Nassau Stakes (2005 Alexander Goldrun), Phoenix Stakes (1994 Eva Luna), Pretty Polly Stakes (2005 Alexander Goldrun), Prix de l’Opera (2004 Alexander Goldrun), Prix Marcel Boussac (2006 Finsceal Beo), Railway Stakes (1994 Eva Luna, 2004 Democratic Deficit), Rockfel Stakes (2006 Finsceal Beo); Round Tower Stakes (2005 Abigail Pett), Royal Whip Stakes (2005 Tropical Lady) Wins in Britain (2005-2007): 2; 2; 3; Wins in Britain this year: 2

PLACE QUOTES

Race Five - Vodafone Derby (Group One)

STOUTE “DELIGHTED” WITH DERBY PAIR

Sir Michael Stoute narrowly failed to capture his fifth Vodafone Derby as 6/1 chance Tartan Bearer finished a valiant half-length runner-up to the triumphant New Approach.

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

While his 9/2 favourite Casual Conquest could finish no better than a five-length third in this afternoon’s Group One Vodafone Derby, trainer Dermot Weld was “delighted” that there was an Irish success in compatriot Jim Bolger’s New Approach.

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

Michael Kinane on Frozen Fire (11th): “I was travelling out the back with the winner but my lad just didn’t come down the hill.”

Michael O’Connell on Maidstone Mixture (16th and last): “It was a good experience to ride in the Vodafone Derby.”

Frankie Dettori was quick to recommend to trainer Saeed bin Suroor that seventh-placed Rio De La Plata should run next the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot because he didn’t fully see out the one and a half-mile trip in the Vodafone Derby.

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

Angus Gold, racing manager to eighth-placed Tajaaweed’s owner Sheikh Hamdan, said: “He didn’t get home and we will go back in trip, I would think.”

Henry Cecil, trainer of Kandahar Run (14th), said: “He relaxed and travelled well but he just didn’t get the trip.”

Kandahar Run’s jockey Ted Durcan confirmed: “He just didn’t stay.”

Johnny Murtagh, rider of King Of Rome (12th), said: “He lost at the start. He reared up when the stalls opened.”

Paul Mulrennan, rider of Alan Devonshire (13th), said: “He was far too keen, wanting to do too much and didn’t do himself justice.”

Alan Munro, rider of Bouguereau (9th), said: “I’m delighted with him and he left his Italian Derby form behind.

“He was really in good shape today, travelled well and stayed on well. A bit further would help him, too.”

Race 5 - Vodafone Derby (Group One)
BOOKMAKER REACTION

New Approach’s victory in Saturday afternoon’s Vodafone Derby was a big blow for bookmakers after he was the subject of a heavy gamble as soon as he was confirmed as an intended runner in the Classic.

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.”