The Victoria Derby is an annual Australian Group 1 thoroughbred race held on the first day of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. Taking place at Flemington Race Course in Melbourne, the race is made up of three-year-old horses, competing over 2,500 metres on a turf course. The Victoria Derby takes place on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup, which is held on the first Tuesday in November.
The Derby is Australia’s oldest horse race with prize of $1.5 million and showcases the fastest three-year-old horses in one of the most prestigious events on the Australian horse racing calendar. It is a set weight event at 55.5kg for colts and geldings, and 53.5kg for fillies. In the lead up to the Victoria Derby, a good source of an entrants form is the Cox Plate, held a week earlier.
Victoria Derby Information
- Date: Saturday before Melbourne Cup
- Carnival: Melbourne Cup Carnival
- Racecourse: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
- Distance: 2,500 metres
- Race Type: 3YO
- Group Listing: Group 1
- Prize Money: $1.5 million
Victoria Derby History
The first Victoria Derby was held in 1855 and won by a filly, Rose of May. The following two Derby’s were also won by fillies, but since then, only one has taken the top spot (Frances Tressady – 1923). Before Australia converted to the metric system the race took place over 1.5 miles, it then changed to 2,400 metres in 1972, before finding its current distance of 2,500 metres in 1973.
Only one horse has ever won the event twice which was Fireworks in 1867 and 1868, but it was Phar Lap, who won in 1929 who has been hailed as the greatest Derby winner ever.
Victoria Derby Records
- Time: 2.33.60 – Star Of The Realm (1991)
- Most Wins By A Jockey: 8 – Bobbie Lewis (1900, 1901, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1914, 1921, 1927)
- Most Wins By A Horse: 2 – Fireworks (1867, 1868)
- Most Wins By A Trainer: 8 – James Scobie (1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1927, 1937)
