Victoria Derby
| Group 1 race | |
 Phar Lap 1929 winner – Jim Pike | |
| Location | Flemington Racecourse Melbourne, Australia |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1855 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Sponsor | Penfolds (2022) |
| Website | Victoria Racing Club |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2,500 metres |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set weights Colts & geldings: 551⁄2kg Fillies: 531⁄2kg |
| Purse | A$2,000,000 (2022) |
The Victoria Derby, also known as the Penfolds Victoria Derby, is a Victoria Racing Club Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-olds held under Set Weights conditions over a distance of 2,500 metres at Flemington Racecourse, in Melbourne, Australia scheduled annually on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.[1] Total prize money for the race is A$2,000,000.
History[edit]
Originally run at a distance of 1+1⁄2 miles, in 1972 it was changed to 2,400 metres to conform to the metric system. It was changed again in 1973 to its present distance of 2,500 metres.[2]
First run in 1855, the first three editions were won by fillies but the last time a filly won was in 1923 when Frances Tressady claimed victory.[3] In its history, only one horse has ever won the Victoria Derby more than once. Fireworks accomplished the feat, winning back-to-back runnings in November 1867 and again in 1868 after a change of the race date to New Year's Day.[3] Between 1931 and 1956 geldings were not permitted to compete.[3]
Three horses have won their first race with a win in the Victoria Derby. In 1883, the New Zealand-bred horse Martini Henry won the Victoria Derby at his first start. Fire Oak in 1990, Redding in 1992 and Preferment in 2014 are the only other maidens to win the Victoria Derby.[4]
In 2005, Clare Lindop became the first female jockey to ride in the Victoria Derby and became the first female to win in 2008. Gai Waterhouse became the first woman to train a winner when Nothin' Leica Dane won the 1995 running.[4]
Distance[edit]
- 1855–1971 - 11⁄2 miles (~2400 metres)
- 1972 – 2400 metres
- 1973 onwards - 2500 metres
Grade[edit]
- 1855–1978 - Principal Race
- 1979 onwards - Group 1
1933 and 1953 racebooks[edit]
-
Front cover of the 1933 VRC Derby racebook -
Starters and jockeys showing the winner, Hall Mark -
Back cover showing train timetables -
Front cover 1953 VRC Derby racebook -
1953 VRC Derby raceday officials -
Starters and results showing the winner, Prince Morvi -
1953 VRC Derby starters and results -
Back cover showing railway and admission charges
1954 racebook[edit]
-
Front cover 1954 VRC Derby racebook -
1954 VRC Derby raceday officials -
Starters and results 1954 VRC Derby -
Starters and results showing the winner, Pride of Egypt -
Back cover showing enclosure information for visitors
Gallery of noted winners[edit]
-
1906 winner – Poseidon -
1938 winner – Nuffield -
1917 winner – Biplane -
1945 winner – Magnificent -
1925 winner – Manfred
Records[edit]
Time record: (at current 2,500 metres distance)
- 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 trainer:
- 8 - James Scobie : (1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1927, 1937)
Social attraction[edit]
While the major focus of AAMI Victoria Derby Day is the racing (since it is the only race day in Australia where each and every race has Group Status), in recent years the annual Fashions on the Field held on the fourth and last day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival celebrations have shared the limelight.[5] Derby Day has become Men's Day in the Fashion Stakes, and every year increasing numbers of fashionable gentlemen competing for prizes and a spot in the social columns.[6] Traditionally black and white are worn on this day by women and morning dress by men.[7] The flower of the day is a blue cornflower. The idea of wearing a cornflower on Derby Day was introduced in 1962 by Mrs Sheelah Wood, wife of prominent VRC committeeman of the time, Mr Samuel Richard Creswick Wood.[8] The 2006 Victoria Derby drew the event's largest crowd, with 129,069 in attendance.[9]
Attendance[10][edit]
- 2023 – 73,056
- 2022 – 71,327
- 2021 – 5,000 (restricted attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
- 2020 – 0 (no attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions)
- 2019 – 80,214
- 2018 – 91,194
- 2017 – 87,526
- 2016 – 90,136
- 2015 – 85,943
- 2014 – 90,244
- 2013 – 95,223
- 2012 – 98,823
- 2011 – 92,336
- 2010 – 90,361
- 2009 – 108,178
- 2008 – 117,776
- 2007 – 115,705
- 2006 – 129,089
- 2005 – 115,660
- 2004 – 115,542
- 2003 – 97,059
- 2002 – 101,898
- 2001 – 93,029
- 2000 – 92,581
- 1999 – 76,514
- 1998 – 75,805
- 1997 – 64,528
- 1996 – 64,099
- 1995 – 60,404
- 1994 – 54,467
- 1993 – 49,029
- 1992 – 45,729
- 1991 – 46,781
- 1990 – 47,497
- 1989 – 47,226
- 1988 – 44,848
- 1987 – 41,878
- 1986 – 42,824
- 1985 – 40,522
- 1984 – 39,771
- 1983 – 40,017
- 1982 – 42,519
- 1981 – 39,729
- 1980 – 38,032
Winners[edit]
- 2023 - Riff Rocket
- 2022 - Manzoice[11]
- 2021 - Hitotsu[12]
- 2020 - Johnny Get Angry[13]
- 2019 - Warning[14]
- 2018 - Extra Brut[15]
- 2017 - Ace High[16]
- 2016 - Prized Icon[17]
- 2015 - Tarzino[18]
- 2014 - Preferment[19]
- 2013 - Polanski[20]
- 2012 - Fiveandahalfstar[21]
- 2011 - Sangster[22]
- 2010 - Lion Tamer[23]
- 2009 - Monaco Consul[24]
- 2008 - Rebel Raider[25]
- 2007 - Kibbutz[26]
- 2006 - Efficient[27]
- 2005 - Benicio[28]
- 2004 - Plastered[29]
- 2003 - Elvstroem[30]
- 2002 - Helenus[31]
- 2001 - Amalfi[32]
- 2000 - Hit The Roof[33]
- 1999 - Blackfriars[34]
- 1998 - Arena[35]
- 1997 - Second Coming[36]
- 1996 - Portland Player[37]
- 1995 - Nothin' Leica Dane[38]
- 1994 - Blevic[39]
- 1993 - Mahogany[40]
- 1992 - Redding[41]
- 1991 - Star Of The Realm[42]
- 1990 - Fire Oak[43]
- 1989 - Stylish Century[44]
- 1988 - King's High[45]
- 1987 - Omnicorp[46]
- 1986 - Raveneaux[47]
- 1985 - Handy Proverb[48]
- 1984 - Red Anchor[49]
- 1983 - Bounty Hawk[50]
- 1982 - Grosvenor
- 1981 - Brewery Boy
- 1980 - Sovereign Red
- 1979 - Big Print
- 1978 - Dulcify
- 1977 - Stormy Rex
- 1976 - Unaware
- 1975 - Galena Boy
- 1974 - Haymaker
- 1973 - Taj Rossi
- 1972 - Dayana[51]
- 1971 - Classic Mission
- 1970 - Silver Sharpe
- 1969 - Daryl's Joy
- 1968 - Always There
- 1967 - Savoy
- 1966 - Khalif
- 1965 - Tobin Bronze
- 1964 - Royal Sovereign
- 1963 - Craftsman
- 1962 - Coppelius
- 1961 - New Statesman
- 1960 - Sky High
- 1959 - Travel Boy
- 1958 - Sir Blink
- 1957 - Tulloch
- 1956 - Monte Carlo
- 1955 - Sailor's Guide
- 1954 - Pride Of Egypt
- 1953 - Prince Morvi
- 1952 - Advocate
- 1951 - Hydrogen
- 1950 - Alister
- 1949 - Delta
- 1948 - Comic Court
- 1947 - Beau Gem
- 1946 - Prince Standard
- 1945 - Magnificent
- 1944 - San Martin
- 1943 - Precept
- 1942 - Great Britain
- 1941 - Skipton
- 1940 - Lucrative
- 1939 - Reading
- 1938 - Nuffield[52]
- 1937 - Hua
- 1936 - Talking
- 1935 - Feldspar
- 1934 - Theo
- 1933 - Hall Mark
- 1932 - Liberal
- 1931 - Johnnie Jason
- 1930 - Balloon King
- 1929 - Phar Lap
- 1928 - Strephon
- 1927 - Trivalve
- 1926 - Rampion
- 1925 - Manfred
- 1924 - Spearfelt
- 1923 - Frances Tressady
- 1922 - Whittier
- 1921 - Furious
- 1920 - Salitros
- 1919 - Richmond Main
- 1918 - Eusebius
- 1917 - Biplane
- 1916 - Wolaroi
- 1915 - Patrobas
- 1914 - Carlita
- 1913 - Beragoon
- 1912 - Wolawa
- 1911 - Wilari
- 1910 - Beverage
- 1909 - Prince Foote
- 1908 - Alawa
- 1907 - Mountain King
- 1906 - Poseidon
- 1905 - Lady Wallace
- 1904 - Sylvanite
- 1903 - F.J.A
- 1902 - Abundance
- 1901 - Hautvilliers
- 1900 - Maltster
- 1899 - Merriwee
- 1898 - Cocos
- 1897 - Amberite
- 1896 - Newhaven
- 1895 - Wallace
- 1894 - The Harvester
- 1893 - Carnage
- 1892 - Carmoola
- 1891 - Strathmore
- 1890 - The Admiral
- 1889 - Dreadnought
- 1888 - Ensign
- 1887 - The Australian Peer
- 1886 - Trident
- 1885 - Nordenfeldt
- 1884 - Rufus
- 1883 - Martini Henry
- 1882 - Navigator
- 1881 - Darebin
- 1880 - Grand Flaneur
- 1879 - Suwarrow
- 1878 - Wellington
- 1877 - Chester
- 1876 - Briseis
- 1875 - Robin Hood
- 1874 - Melbourne
- 1873 - Lapidist
- 1872 - Loup Garou
- 1871 - Miss Jessie
- 1870 - Florence
- 1869 - Charon
- 1869 - My Dream (run New Year's Day)
- 1868 - Fireworks (run New Year's Day)
- 1867 - Fireworks
- 1866 - Sea Gull
- 1865 - Angler
- 1864 - Lantern
- 1863 - Oriflamme
- 1862 - Barwon
- 1861 - Camden
- 1860 - Flying Colours
- 1859 - Buzzard
- 1858 - Brownlock
- 1857 - Tricolor
- 1856 - Flying Doe
- 1855 - Rose Of May
See also[edit]
- List of Australian Group races
- Group races
- Thoroughbred racing in Australia
- Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival
- White shift dress of Jean Shrimpton
References[edit]
- ^ "Winners and Past Results for the Victoria Derby". Pro Group Racing Australia. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Victoria Derby". Australian Racing Report. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ a b c "Victoria Derby History". Ladbrokes. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ a b "Victoria Derby Records". Ladbrokes. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Emirates Stakes Day Fashions on the Field". Victoria Racing Club. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Men's Racewear - Melbourne Cup Carnival". Victoria Racing Club. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "AAMI Victoria Derby Day". Victoria Racing Club. 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Victoria Derby Cup". Horse Racing Today (Australia). 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ "Track records and attendances". Victorian Racing Club. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Track records and attendances". Victorian Racing Club. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "2022 Result – Penfolds Victoria Derby (held 29 October 2022)". racingpost.com. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "2021 Result – Victoria Derby (held 30 October 2021)". breednet.com. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ "2020 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 31 October 2020)". breednet.com. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
- ^ "2019 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 2 November 2019)". breednet.com. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
- ^ "2018 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 3 November 2018)". breednet.com. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- ^ "2017 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 4 November 2017)". breednet.com. Retrieved 4 November 2017.
- ^ "2016 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 29 October 2016)". breednet.com. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
- ^ "2015 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 31 October 2015)". breednet.com. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
- ^ "2014 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 1 November 2014)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2013 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 2 November 2013)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2012 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 3 November 2012)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2011 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 29 October 2011)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2010 Result – A A M I Victoria Derby (held 30 October 2010)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2009 Result – Aami Victoria Derby (held 31 October 2009)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2008 Result – A A M I Victoria Derby (held 1 November 2008)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2007 Result – Victoria Derby (held 3 November 2007)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2006 Result – Victoria Derby (held 4 November 2006)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2005 Result – Victoria Derby (held 29 October 2005)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2004 Result – Victoria Derby (held 30 October 2004)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2003 Result – Victoria Derby (held 1 November 2003)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2002 Result – Victoria Derby (held 2 November 2002)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2001 Result – Victoria Derby (held 3 November 2001)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "2000 Result – Victoria Derby (held 4 November 2000)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1999 Result – Victoria Derby (held 30 October 1999)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1998 Result – Victoria Derby (held 31 October 1998)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1997 Result – Victoria Derby (held 1 November 1997)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1996 Result – Victoria Derby (held 2 November 1996)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1995 Result – Victoria Derby (held 4 November 1995)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1994 Result – Victoria Derby (held 29 October 1994)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1993 Result – Victoria Derby (held 30 October 1993)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1992 Result – Victoria Derby (held 31 October 1992)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1991 Result – Victoria Derby (held 2 November 1991)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1990 Result – Victoria Derby (held 3 November 1990)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1989 Result – Victoria Derby (held 4 November 1989)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1988 Result – Victoria Derby (held 29 October 1988)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1987 Result – Victoria Derby (held 31 October 1987)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1986 Result – Victoria Derby (held 1 November 1986)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1985 Result – Victoria Derby (held 2 November 1985)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1984 Result – Victoria Derby (held 3 November 1984)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "1983 Result – Victoria Derby (held 29 October 1983)". breednet.com. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ "Flemington Results – Vic Derby (held 4 November 1972)". News (Google). The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 1972. p. 78 col 3–6. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- ^ "Nuffield Takes V.R.C. Derby And Pulls - Race Results section Victoria Derby (held 29 October 1938)". The Barrier Miner. Trove. 29 October 1938. p. 1 col. 1–4. Retrieved 26 October 2015.