Race Review 2008
The build up to this year’s Derby was one of the most extraordinary in recent memory with the speculation over the potential line up for the Epsom classic taking more unexpected twists and turns than an Agatha Christie novel.
And then, just when we thought the make up of the field was finally known, Jim Bolger performed one of the biggest U-turns imaginable by declaring New Approach as a likely starter after all. This after Bolger had been telling anyone who would listen over the past few months that his champion two year old would avoid the Derby like the plague and head instead to the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, at the end of the month.
Not surprisingly, all these mixed messages resulted in a blood bath for ante-post punters and this most turbulent of build-ups to a classic in recent years almost inevitably climaxed with a stellar performance from New Approach as he denied Tartan Bearer at the finish.
Runner-up in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas, New Approach was left in the race at the May 23 forfeit stage "by mistake" but sensationally re-entered the equation last Monday after apparently bouncing out of the Curragh event in good order.
"Leaving him in the race was the biggest mistake I have ever made, but it was fortuitous," Bolger said.
While many will have ripped up ante-post vouchers and invested in other trial winners, those who supported the son of Galileo on the sun-baked Downs were treated to a domineering display.
After being ponied to the start in his customary fashion, Kevin Manning settled the 5/1 chance in rear and started to make a move after rounding Tattenham Corner. He had to weave a passage through runners while Tartan Bearer lengthened stylishly down the centre of the course to lead passing the two pole.
But just as he appeared to have the premier Classic in his sights for Sir Michael Stoute, New Approach arrived on the scene and stayed on best of all for a half-length success.
Fellow Irish raider and 7/2 favourite Casual Conquest was a further four and a half lengths adrift in third.
Bolger said: "Kevin gave him the best ride I have seen around Epsom as it was so difficult. There aren't many jockeys who could have organised him like that. Kevin stayed calm and really starred. I thought before the race that winning would be right up there with the best, but after winning I can say it is the best and it is the best day I have had in racing.
"He handled the start just the same as he has on all occasions. With the furore from my opposing trainers over here (about New Approach causing a possible delay to the start) the last thing I wanted to do was to upset any of those nice gentleman, so we hacked to the start."
Punters were faced with several other imponderables in the build-up, with the participation of the market leader also not assured until he was supplemented last Monday at a cost of £75,000.
Bolger continued: "After the 2000 Guineas when I stated that Epsom was not on New Approach's agenda I did not know what would happen with regard to his races from there. With trying to win two Guineas I didn't think it possible to take in the Epsom Derby as well.
"When the cancellation stage came round I had four or five to take out. I don't know why I didn't take out New Approach and it was an embarrassment to me at the time. Three days after the Curragh he hadn't lost any weight and by the Wednesday he was bucking and squealing. I thought about the Derby for a few days as I had to be sure of my ground when I spoke to John Ferguson (Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor). I told my wife I didn't think he would run so was delighted when I got the call back from John Ferguson saying he would run."
In a post-race press conference which became quite tense at times, he added: "If you accept the horse was left in by genuine mistake it doesn't look half as bad as you infer. Epsom was not on his agenda. Can I be more specific than that? The general public have not been treated as less than grown-ups by me."
Ferguson added: "When I got the phone call that was the first time Jim had mentioned the Derby.
"Sheikh Mohammed is delighted with what has happened today. He was supportive of Jim's plan to run in the two Guineas and then take on the Derby winner in the Irish equivalent as going to Epsom looked like it would be too much for him."
Like Bolger, Manning was celebrating his first Derby win, but picked up a three-day ban for his efforts after being deemed guilty of careless riding and will have to sit out June 22-24.
The rider said: "He has got a serious, serious engine. He has got his quirks, but on the track he has no problems. He has always been crying out for this trip. He took a bit of a tug early on and got further back than I would have liked, but coming down the hill I had loads of horse and just hoped the gaps would come.
"He's just very, very classy. He gets a mile and a half but he is very pacy. To do what he has done he has to be very pacy. To win this is every jockey's dream and from a young age every jockey dreams of Epsom Derbys."
Sheikh Mohammed bought the colt outright last November and New Approach captured the Classic for the first time carrying the colours of his wife, Princess Haya of Jordan.
The Princess said: "I can't tell anyone how excited I am to be here at the greatest sporting event in the world. I hope everyone here on the Downs has enjoyed it as much as me. It is the thrill of a lifetime. It is such a wonderful moment and the horse is so aptly named for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed."
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New Approach, ridden by Kevin Manning (centre, green), wins the 2008 Derby