Victoria Derby

History

Originally run at a distance of 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.

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. 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. Between 1931 and 1956 geldings were not permitted to compete.

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.

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.

Distance

• 1855–1971 - 1 miles (~2400 metres)
• 1972 – 2400 metres
• 1973 onwards - 2500 metres

Grade

• 1855–1978 - Principal Race
• 1979 onwards - Group 1

1933 and 1953 racebooks

File:1933 VRC Derby Racebook P1.jpg|1933 VRC Derby racebook front cover File:1933 VRC Derby Racebook P22.jpg|1933 VRC Derby starters and results showing the winner, Hall Mark File:1933 VRC Derby Racebook P3.jpg|Back cover showing train timetables File:1953 VRC Derby Racebook P1.jpg|1953 VRC Derby racebook front cover File:1953 VRC Derby Racebook P2.jpg|1953 VRC Derby raceday officials File:1953 VRC Derby Racebook P3.jpg|1953 VRC Derby showing the winner, Prince Morvi File:1953 VRC Derby Racebook P4.jpg|1953 VRC Derby starters and results File:1953 VRC Derby Racebook P5.jpg|Back cover showing railway and admission charges

1954 racebook

File:1954 VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes Racebook P1.jpg|1954 VRC Derby racebook front cover File:1954 VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes Racebook P2.jpg|1954 VRC Derby raceday officials File:1954 VRC Derby Racebook P3.jpg|1954 VRC Derby starters and results File:1954 VRC Derby Racebook P4.jpg|1954 VRC Derby starters and results showing the winner, Pride of Egypt File:1954 VRC LKS Mackinnon Stakes Racebook P5.jpg|Back cover showing enclosure information for visitors

Gallery of noted winners

File:NUFFIELD 1938 AJC SIRES PRODUCE STAKES HAROLD BADGER.jpg|1938 winner – Nuffield File:Biplane 1917 AJC & VRC Derby Jockey B Deeley Trainer Tom Scully.jpg|1917 winner – Biplane File:Magnificent 1944 AJC Breeders Plate Randwick Racecourse Jockey Pat Delaney Trainer Arthur Croall.jpg|1945 winner – Magnificent File:Jockey riding race horse Manfred, New South Wales, April 1936.jpg|1925 winner – Manfred

Records

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

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. 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. Traditionally black and white are worn on this day by women and morning dress by men. 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. The 2006 Victoria Derby drew the event's largest crowd, with 129,069 in attendance.

Attendance

Source:

• 2024 – 81,612
• 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

• 2025 - Observer
• 2024 - Goldrush Guru
• 2023 - Riff Rocket
• 2022 - Manzoice
• 2021 - Hitotsu
• 2020 - Johnny Get Angry
• 2019 - Warning
• 2018 - Extra Brut
• 2017 - Ace High
• 2016 - Prized Icon
• 2015 - Tarzino
• 2014 - Preferment
• 2013 - Polanski
• 2012 - Fiveandahalfstar
• 2011 - Sangster
• 2010 - Lion Tamer
• 2009 - Monaco Consul
• 2008 - Rebel Raider
• 2007 - Kibbutz
• 2006 - Efficient
• 2005 - Benicio
• 2004 - Plastered
• 2003 - Elvstroem
• 2002 - Helenus
• 2001 - Amalfi
• 2000 - Hit The Roof
• 1999 - Blackfriars
• 1998 - Arena
• 1997 - Second Coming
• 1996 - Portland Player
• 1995 - Nothin' Leica Dane
• 1994 - Blevic
• 1993 - Mahogany
• 1992 - Redding
• 1991 - Star Of The Realm
• 1990 - Fire Oak
• 1989 - Stylish Century
• 1988 - King's High
• 1987 - Omnicorp
• 1986 - Raveneaux
• 1985 - Handy Proverb
• 1984 - Red Anchor
• 1983 - Bounty Hawk
• 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
• 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
• 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

References

References

1. (2014). "Winners and Past Results for the Victoria Derby". Pro Group Racing Australia.
2. (2014). "Victoria Derby". Australian Racing Report.
3. (2014). "Victoria Derby History". Ladbrokes.
4. (2014). "Victoria Derby Records". Ladbrokes.
5. (2014). "Emirates Stakes Day Fashions on the Field". [[Victoria Racing Club]].
6. (2014). "Men's Racewear - Melbourne Cup Carnival". [[Victoria Racing Club]].
7. (2014). "AAMI Victoria Derby Day". [[Victoria Racing Club]].
8. (2014). "Victoria Derby Cup". Horse Racing Today (Australia).
9. "Track records and attendances". Victorian Racing Club.
10. "Track records and attendances". Victorian Racing Club.
11. "Over 80,000 fans flock to Flemington for Penfolds Victoria Derby Day". Victoria Racing Club.
12. "Riff Rocket launches in the Penfolds Victoria Derby". Victoria Racing Club.
13. "2025 Result – Howden Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 2025)''". racingpost.com.
14. "2024 Result – Penfolds Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 2024)''". racingpost.com.
15. "2023 Result – Penfolds Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 2023)''". racingpost.com.
16. "2022 Result – Penfolds Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 2022)''". racingpost.com.
17. "2021 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 30 October 2021)''". breednet.com.
18. "2020 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 2020)''". breednet.com.
19. "2019 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 2019)''". breednet.com.
20. "2018 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 2018)''". breednet.com.
21. "2017 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 2017)''". breednet.com.
22. "2016 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 2016)''". breednet.com.
23. "2015 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 2015)''". breednet.com.
24. "2014 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 2014)''". breednet.com.
25. "2013 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 2013)''". breednet.com.
26. "2012 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 2012)''". breednet.com.
27. "2011 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 2011)''". breednet.com.
28. "2010 Result – A A M I Victoria Derby ''(held 30 October 2010)''". breednet.com.
29. "2009 Result – Aami Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 2009)''". breednet.com.
30. "2008 Result – A A M I Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 2008)''". breednet.com.
31. "2007 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 2007)''". breednet.com.
32. "2006 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 2006)''". breednet.com.
33. "2005 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 2005)''". breednet.com.
34. "2004 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 30 October 2004)''". breednet.com.
35. "2003 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 2003)''". breednet.com.
36. "2002 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 2002)''". breednet.com.
37. "2001 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 2001)''". breednet.com.
38. "2000 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 2000)''". breednet.com.
39. "1999 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 30 October 1999)''". breednet.com.
40. "1998 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 1998)''". breednet.com.
41. "1997 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 1997)''". breednet.com.
42. "1996 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 1996)''". breednet.com.
43. "1995 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 1995)''". breednet.com.
44. "1994 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 1994)''". breednet.com.
45. "1993 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 30 October 1993)''". breednet.com.
46. "1992 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 1992)''". breednet.com.
47. "1991 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 1991)''". breednet.com.
48. "1990 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 1990)''". breednet.com.
49. "1989 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 4 November 1989)''". breednet.com.
50. "1988 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 1988)''". breednet.com.
51. "1987 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 31 October 1987)''". breednet.com.
52. "1986 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 1 November 1986)''". breednet.com.
53. "1985 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 2 November 1985)''". breednet.com.
54. "1984 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 3 November 1984)''". breednet.com.
55. "1983 Result – Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 1983)''". breednet.com.
56. (5 November 1972). "Flemington Results – Vic Derby ''(held 4 November 1972)''". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
57. (29 October 1938). "Nuffield Takes V.R.C. Derby And Pulls - Race Results section Victoria Derby ''(held 29 October 1938)''". Trove.