The 'Derby Trial' races aren't formal trials but are races which, over the years, have had a significant bearing on The Derby. Just as the teams in the FA Cup Final or Wimbledon finalists have fought their way through the earlier rounds, so The Derby brings together a select group of horses who have advertised their credentials in significant races earlier in the season.
A prominent performance in one of the recognised trial races is only one factor pointing punters towards The Derby winner, but it is significant that each of the last ten Epsom heroes has run in one or more of them in his outing immediately before The Derby. In 2008 New Approach came second in both the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas.
Authorized in 2007 became the third horse in four years to follow up success in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York in May with victory in The Vodafone Derby the following month.
To download a word document with all the details of the 2008 Derby trials, click on the 'Word' logo at the top of this page.
