Vodafone and Epsom Downs Racecourse announce that the 2007 Derby will be the thirteenth and last occasion that Vodafone will sponsor this iconic sporting event.

Vodafone's current contract with Epsom Downs expires after this year's race, and following a review of its sponsorship portfolio the company has decided not to enter into negotiations for a further contract.

Simon Lewis, Vodafone's Group Corporate Affairs Director, commented, "Every major sponsorship has a natural cycle for commercial partners and we believe that after thirteen very successful years the time is right to hand over to another partner for The Derby. A priority for us has been to give Epsom Downs the maximum amount of notice possible given our long and mutually beneficial partnership. We will be working closely with the Epsom management to ensure a seamless transition to a new sponsor from 2008 onwards. The Derby is unique, and it has been a pleasure for everyone at Vodafone to have been involved with it."

Stephen Wallis, Managing Director of Epsom Downs Racecourse, commented, "Whilst we are sorry that Vodafone will not be continuing their sponsorship after this year, we totally understand their decision. We are very grateful for their support since 1995, during which time The Derby Festival has undergone some significant changes that have served to firmly re-establish its status as not only one of the great British sporting events but also one of the leading races in the world. We shall now start discussions with other parties who have expressed interest to us over the last few years."

• The winners of The Vodafone Derby were:

1995 LAMMTARRA
Owner: Sheikh Saeed Maktoum Al-Maktoum Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor Jockey:
Walter Swinburn

1996 SHAAMIT
Owner: Mr K Abdullah Dasmal Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Michael Hills

1997 BENNY THE DIP
Owner: Mr L Knight Trainer: John Gosden Jockey: Willie Ryan

1998 HIGH-RISE
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al-Maktoum Trainer: Luca Cumani Jockey:
Olivier Peslier

1999 OATH
Owner: The Thoroughbred Corporation Trainer: Henry Cecil Jockey: Kieren
Fallon

2000 SINNDAR
Owner: H. H. Aga Khan Trainer: John Oxx Jockey: Johnny Murtagh

2001 GALILEO
Owner: Mrs J Magnier & Mr M Tabor Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Mick Kinane

2002 HIGH CHAPARRAL
Owner: Mr M Tabor & Mrs J Magnier Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Jockey: Johnny Murtagh

2003 KRIS KIN
Owner: Mr Saeed Suhail Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Kieren Fallon

2004 NORTH LIGHT
Owner: Ballymacoll Stud Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Kieren Fallon

2005 MOTIVATOR
Owner: The Royal Ascot Racing Club Trainer: Michael Bell Jockey: Johnny Murtagh

2006 SIR PERCY
Owner: Mr A E Pakenham Trainer: Marcus Tregoning Jockey: Martin Dwyer

• The Derby was switched from a Wednesday to a Saturday at the beginning of the Vodafone era in 1995.

• Attendance at the event has risen since this change.

• An estimated 100,000 people attend The Vodafone Derby.

• 4.1 million people watched The 2006 Vodafone Derby live on BBC1, a 43% audience share.

• 226 countries took television pictures of The 2006 Vodafone Derby.

• The Derby has been run every year since 1780, without a break, only being moved from Epsom during wartime.