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The Vodafone Epsom Derby - 7th June 2003

Epsom Derby 2006

Epsom Derby 2005

Epsom Derby 2004

Result:
1st: Kris Kin (K Fallon) 6-1
2nd: The Great Gatsby (P Eddery) 20-1
3rd: Alamshar (J Murtagh) 4-1
4th: Norse Dancer 16-1

full result

Kin highlight of a fantastic meeting
Kris Kin provided the highlight of a thrilling 2003 Vodafone Derby meeting with success under Kieren Fallon in the world's greatest Classic.

No one who was at Epsom Downs that day will forget Fallon's sustained drive down the straight to land the Vodafone Derby on the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt, who had been the subject of a big gamble on the day, and obliged at 6/1 from The Great Gatsby. The latter was Pat Eddery's final ever mount in the Derby, a race he graced on so many occasions, and he almost got home in front after another memorable ride.

The Group 3 Vodafone Diomed Stakes was the chief supporting race on day two of the meeting and Gateman managed to maintain his 100 per cent record at the track under a positive ride from Keith Dalgleish. The Mark Johnson-trained colt was sent off at 13/2 in an open contest, but despite not winning for a year, he made it two out of two at Epsom Downs and carried off the £58,000 first prize.

The highlight of day one was of course the Vodafone Oaks, where trainer Andrew Balding landed his first Classic since taking over the licence from father Ian, as Casual Look also gave jockey Martin Dwyer his first win in the race. Aidan O'Brien's Yesterday was sent off as the 100/30 favourite for the 1m 4f contest, but could never get a clear run down the straight and was eventually held off by a neck by the winner, who proved that success was no fluke with some very good efforts later in the campaign.

The other Group 1 contest on the Friday was the Vodafone Coronation Cup, run over the same course and distance as the Vodafone Derby, for older horses. A high class field on nine runners set off up the hill from the stalls and when they came down towards the post it was Warrsan who provided Clive Brittain with another big-race success under Philip Robinson. Tackled by both Highest (second) and Black Sam Bellamy (third), the five-year-old's staying power ensured he just managed to hang on by half-a-length and a short-head in a tremendous finish.

Of the remaining races over the two days one that stood out was another great renewal of the Vodafone 'Dash' Rated Stakes. Run on Vodafone Derby day, the five furlong sprint always draws a classy field and the 2003 version was no exception, with 'sprint King' David Nicholls providing the answer to last year's puzzle through Atlantic Viking, who beat Damalis in another thriller.

So we have some great memories to look back on from last year's Vodafone Derby meeting, and it won't be long now before we get to enjoy it all over again, 2004 style.

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