The 2008 Epsom Derby was the 229th running of the Derby, a Group 1 flat horse race for three‑year‑old thoroughbreds. The race took place on 7 June 2008 at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, England, over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs 6 yards (2,420 metres).
Winner
- Horse: New Approach (IRE)
- Jockey: Kevin Manning
- Trainer: Jim Bolger (IRE)
- Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Race details
- Winning time: 2 minutes 33.77 seconds.
- Starting price: 6/4 favoured.
- Field: 12 runners.
- Runner‑up: Tenth Man (trained by Aidan O'Brien).
- Third place: Casual Concord (trained by James Fanshawe).
Notable aspects
- New Approach entered the Derby as the ante‑post favourite and secured a decisive victory, winning by three and a half lengths.
- The win contributed to New Approach being named the 2008 European Champion Three‑Year‑Old Colt.
- The race was broadcast live on British television by the BBC as part of its coverage of the Epsom Derby meeting.
Subsequent achievements
- After the Derby, New Approach continued a successful racing career, winning the Irish Champion Stakes later in 2008 and the Judd Award for Champion Middle‑Distance Horse in 2009.
- Trainer Jim Bolger became the first Irish trainer to win the Derby since Pat Rathbone with Sir Percy in 2006.
These details are drawn from official race records and reputable racing archives.
