GREAT CROWD & GREAT DAY

Reaction from Epsom Downs Racecourse

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

ANOTHER GREAT DERBY CROWD

Today saw a fabulous Derby Day crowd once again, with all enclosures sold out for the 229th running of the Classic.

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

Epsom clerk of the course and director of racing Andrew Cooper this evening reflected on a terrific two days of competition on the Surrey Downs.

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.”