Epsom Downs Racecourse announced today that Vodafone will step in to sponsor The 2008 Derby on Saturday, June 7, for one final year.

In January, 2007, Vodafone announced that after 13 years, it would not be renewing its sponsorship of The Derby. However, with only a few months to go and no title sponsor secured for this year’s event, Vodafone will return to support one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, Vodafone will also sponsor the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, which will also move to the Saturday. The remaining races over the two day Festival will be split between other sponsors.

Nick Blofeld, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented: “We are thrilled that Vodafone has decided to sponsor The 2008 Derby and The Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

“We have taken the commercial decision to divide the sponsorship opportunities for the 2008 Derby Festival, offering Vodafone the opportunity to renew their sponsorship of the Derby this year and inviting other partners to sponsor the remaining races across the two days of the Festival.

“I would like to thank Vodafone for their support at this time."

“We are pleased to be sponsoring The Derby, for one final year, given our long association with this historic race,” said Simon Lewis, Group Corporate Affairs Director at Vodafone.

“Following an approach from the Racecourse, we are stepping in this year to support The Derby during this transition phase, whilst the Racecourse focuses on securing a long term title sponsor for The Derby Festival and completes their redevelopment activities.”

Sponsors of the other remaining races will be announced in the next few weeks. Epsom Downs are also delighted to announce that Jeep look set to once again be an official partner to the Derby Festival and from this year Woodford Reserve have also joined, extending their long association with racing and the Kentucky Derby in particular.

The two-day Derby Festival at Epsom Downs will take place on Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7, 2008.