Queensland Derby

Queensland Derby

Group One Betting Guide
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Location: Eagle Farm Racecourse – Brisbane, Queensland
Prize Money: $1,000,000
Distance: 2400m

The Group 1 Queensland Derby is a distance race of 2400m for three-year-olds, held at Eagle Farm every June.

The $1,000,000 feature staying event was one of the must-win races throughout the 80’s and 90’s, but the form has fallen away over the past few years. Horses such as Kingston Town, Rough Habit and Strawberry Road used the Queensland Derby to springboard their champion careers and that form will stand the test of time, but recent results are concerning.

Regardless of the quality of recent winners, the Queensland Derby gives punters of all varieties a chance at making some money. Favourites do have quite the handy record over the years in the Queensland Derby.


2024 Queensland Derby Betting Odds

Markets for the 2024 Queensland Derby are currently unavailable.


Best Queensland Derby bookmakers

All of our recommended bookmakers have markets for the Queensland Derby.

Most of the Brisbane winter carnival races are covered early and the Group 1 Queensland Derby is no exception.

United States Sport Table

Sport Table


Latest QLD Derby News

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Queensland Derby betting guide

Due to the timing of the Queensland Derby in the last week of May / first week of June, the absolute elite calibre of three-year-old runners are already in the paddock, spelling ahead of a spring campaign.

For runners continuing their three-year-old campaigns a run in the South Australian Derby or the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm a fortnight prior seems to be the best form references to follow for the QLD Derby.

A filly has not taken out the Queensland Derby since Dariana took out the race in 2010.

The Queensland Derby has been a successful race for favourite punters, with the last four of the last six winners of the QLD Derby saluting as the pre-race favourite.


2024 Queensland Derby Final Field

Horsebetting.com.au will update this page when the 2024 Queensland Derby field is released.


Previous QLD Derby Final Fields

Plenty of the future staying stars of the racing scene have competed in the Queensland Derby.

  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Silks
    Kovalica
    Chris Waller
    James McDonald
    5
    57kg
    2 Silks
    The Vowels
    Toby & Trent Edmonds
    James Orman
    14
    57kg
    3 Silks
    Aberfeldie Boy
    Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock
    Craig Newitt
    8
    57kg
    4 Silks
    Promises Kept
    Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
    Mark Zahra
    1
    57kg
    5 Silks
    Andalus
    John O’Shea
    Blake Shinn
    19
    57kg
    6 Silks
    Tapildoodledo
    Kerry Taplin
    Ben Thompson
    7
    57kg
    7 Silks
    Waitak
    Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott
    Jake Bayliss
    15
    57kg
    8 Silks
    Special Swey
    Chris Waller
    Nash Rawiller
    17
    57kg
    9 Silks
    Stroke Of Luck
    John O’Shea
    Ben Melham
    4
    57kg
    10 Silks
    Smartawi
    Gregory Hickman
    Tyler Schiller
    18
    57kg
    11 Silks
    Arby
    Darryn & Briar Weatherley
    Sam Weatherley
    16
    57kg
    12 Silks
    Cut On A Dime
    Bryce Heys
    Damien Thornton
    2
    57kg
    13 Silks
    The Englishman
    Peter & Paul Snowden
    Chad Schofield
    13
    57kg
    14 Silks
    Fame
    Peter Moody
    Jason Collett
    12
    57kg
    15 Silks
    Xtrarevz
    John Sargent
    Joshua Parr
    6
    57kg
    16 Silks
    Sacred Mission
    David Vandyke
    Craig Williams
    10
    57kg
    17 Silks
    Amalgamation
    Marcus Wilson
    Samantha Collett
    20
    57kg
    18 Silks
    True Blue
    Matthew Smith
    Opie Bosson
    11
    57kg
    19 Silks
    Subarctic (1E)
    Matthew Smith
    Opie Bosson
    9
    57kg
    20 Silks
    Artful Girl (2E)
    Kevin Kemp
    Marnu Potgieter
    3
    55kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Tutukaka Tony Pike James Orman 11 57kg
    2 Dark Destroyer Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott Sam Weatherley 1 57kg
    3 Caboche Chris Waller James McDonald 9 57kg
    4 Menazzi Stuart Kendrick Nash Rawiller 17 57kg
    5 Pinarello Roger James & Robert Wellwood Leith Innes 20 57kg
    6 Red Wave Tony & Maddysen Sears Kyle Wilson-Taylor 13 57kg
    7 Southern Stock Chris Munce Larry Cassidy 19 57kg
    8 Balmaurice Rex Lipp & Nicholas Hahn Brad Stewart 16 57kg
    9 Sea Treasures Bjorn Baker Rachel King 14 57kg
    10 Ting Tong Kris Lees Andrew Mallyon 18 57kg
    11 Satirical Glory John Sargent Jim Byrne 12 57kg
    12 Paternal Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 3 57kg
    13 Dark Rebel Edward Cummings Joshua Parr 21 57kg
    14 Global Ausbred Brad Widdup Kerrin McEvoy 5 57kg
    15 Impel Gazelle Michael Costa Ben Thompson 15 57kg
    16 Anythink Goes Matthew Smith Ryan Maloney 4 57kg
    17 Nest Egg Chris Waller Sam Collett 6 57kg
    18 Villaden Chris Waller Brenton Avdulla 10 57kg
    19 Turn Me Over Chris Waller Jamie Kah 10 57kg>
    20 Velvet Lady Kris Lees Tim Clark 2 57kg
    21 Kipling’s Journey Peter & Will Hulbert Mark Du Plessis 8 57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Explosive Jack Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 6 57kg
    2 Let’s Karaka Deel Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Ben Allen 3 57kg
    3 Kukeracha Chris Waller James McDonald 2 57kg
    4 Achiever Chris Waller Nash Rawiller 11 57kg
    5 Toscanini Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Robbie Fradd 8 57kg
    6 Criminal Defence Peter & Will Hulbert Jye McNeil 4 57kg
    7 Bucharest Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 19 57kg
    8 Horrifying Mark Kavanagh Jamie Kah 12 57kg
    9 Senor Toba Chris Waller Hugh Bowman 21 57kg
    10 Bold Executive Garnett Taylor Ryan Wiggins 15 57kg
    11 Sagacious Matthew Dunn Jason Collett 1 57kg
    12 Maranoa Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9 57kg
    13 Mr Gee John O’Shea Craig Williams 7 57kg
    14 Fortified Chris Waller James Orman 16 57kg
    15 Calm Seeker Matt Kropp Les Tilley 20 57kg
    16 Hezashocka Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Mark Zahra 14 57kg
    17 Mt Mort Shark Matt Kropp Larry Cassidy 17 57kg
    18 Quiet Michael Chris Waller Joshua Parr 10 57kg
    19 Sino Defeat Paul Butterworth N/A 5 57kg
    20 Olympic Class Michael Costa N/A 13 57kg
    21 Stylebender Bryce Heys N/A 18 57kg

2023 Queensland Derby result


1stKovalica ($1.70)
2ndFame ($2.90)
3rdStroke Of Luck ($5.90)

Recent Queensland Derby winners

  • The old firm of James McDonald and Chris Waller combined for Group 1 glory once again, as Kovalica destroyed his rivals in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. In what can only be described as one of the most impressive wins of the Queensland Winter Carnival thus far, Kovalica had the 2023 edition of the Queensland Derby won a long way out. James McDonald kept his mount out of trouble throughout the 2400m journey, allowing Kovalica clear-galloping room turning for home on the three-wide line. He did so with a lapful of horse and plenty of confidence, looking over the shoulder while bolting clear with the prize. Kovalica put the writing on the wall after last weekends’ Group 1 Doomben Cup, taking on the older horses to finish in third position behind Huetor. This left punters more than happy to launch into the short quote and onlookers never cast any doubt as the only chasers making ground were simply playing for the minor money. Fame found plenty of admirers with a pre-race plunge, starting at $10, while Stoke Of Luck and Promises Kept were honest as ever finding third and fourth respectively.
  • Co-trainer Roger James’ gut feeling to keep Pinarello racing has paid off after the three-year-old saluted in the $1 million Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. The gelding saluted by a little more than a nose after a great ride from Leith Innes, with Paternal second for Chris Waller. Leith Innes had Pinarello in clear air in the three wide line inside the final 800m and eventually struck the front when cornering. He was all out inside the final furlong, but had enough in the tank to fend off Paternal and hand Group 1 glory for the last time to Innes, with the hoop announcing his retirement post-race.
  • The Chris Waller-trained Kukeracha prevailed in a driving finish to the Group 1 Queensland Derby to down stablemate Senor Toba with triple Derby hero Explosive Jack finishing a game third. For Hall of Fame jockey James McDonald, it was a 54th career Group One and the Kiwi hoop was pleased Waller made the call as to which horse he rode in the Derby.
  • The 2020 Queensland Derby was cancelled due to Queensland lockdowns because of COVID-19.
  • It took a patient steer from John Allen to hand Mr Quickie the Group 1 Queensland Derby. Having been shuffled back in the field during the race, Mr Quickie needed plenty to go his way if he was to claim Group 1 success. He managed to get the luck at the 300m mark and sprinted to clear to hold a length’s margin over eventual Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare in a dramatic edition of the Queensland Derby.
  • Dark Dream bounced back sharply from a disappointing showing in the Group 3 Grand Prix at Doomben to win the Queensland Derby. Toppling the horse that beat him that day in Heavenly Thought, the gelding settled midfield before being unleashed to close late and win it by a neck. This was the last time the horse would race in Australia after getting purchased by Hong Kong interests.
  • Ruthven was the well-backed favourite to win the 2017 Queensland Derby and it didn’t disappoint. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt was given a forward ride by Hugh Bowman, who took off around the home turn at Doomben and didn’t look back. Placegetters Rockstar Rebel and Ana Royale gave the Victorians the trifecta in a dominant result of staying power. Read the race report.
  • Eagle Way was a dominant winner of the Derby and was subsequently sold to Hong Kong where it performed at high levels. The Bryan Guy-trained gelding by More Than Ready showed its class over a questionable field on three-year-old stayers, but it headed the field near the line to score by 1.75 lengths. Rodrico and I’m Belucci added some value to the multiples.
  • The win of Magicool might not stand the test of time, but he defeated a more-than-handy field which included Hong Kong Derby winner Werther. Magicool’s career might have come to a premature end, but it lived up to its hefty price tag of $250,000 by winning the Queensland Derby and it was made more special by being run at Doomben instead of the usual Eagle Farm.
  • The Henry Dwyer-trained Sonntag took full advantage of the dry Eagle Farm surface by sprinting nicely over the last 100m. The son of Teofilo had drawn wide and was forced to travel wide throughout parts of the race, but the three-year-old powered past Pinstripe Lane and Vilanova to record a narrow win. The beaten brigade also included the well-performed Kiwis Rock Diva and Telepathic which have both won multiple times since.
  • Hawkspur’s win in 2013 was one of the most impressive in history. The Chris Waller-trained gelding settled midfield before improving quickly around the final turn. It then took over in the straight to record an effortless victory over Electric Fusion and Honorius. That win paved a good career for Hawkspur, which wasn’t as good as many had hoped, but a handy career all the same. The 2013 field was one of the weakest in history, however, with the majority of the runners disappearing from the racing scene.

Queensland Derby winners

Queensland Derby Past Winners
Year Horse Jockey Trainer
2023 Kovalica James McDonald Chris Waller
2022 Pinarello Leith Innes Roger James & Robert Wellwood
2021 Kukeracha James McDonald Chris Waller
2020 Race Not Held
2019 Mr Quickie John Allen Phillip Stokes
2018 Dark Dream Tim Clark Kerry Parker
2017 Ruthven Hugh Bowman Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2016 Eagle Way Tommy Berry Bryan & Daniel Guy
2015 Magicool James Winks Mark Kavanagh
2014 Sonntag Chad Schofield Henry Dwyer
2013 Hawkspur Jim Cassidy Chris Waller
2012 Brambles Brad Rawiller Peter Moody
2011 Shootoff Michael Rodd Graeme Rogerson
2010 Dariana Michael Rodd Bart Cummings
2009 Court Ruler Larry Cassidy John Wheeler
2008 Riva San Jim Byrne Peter Moody
2007 Empires Choice Damien Oliver Bart Cummings
2006 Ice Chariot Glen Lynch Ron Maude
2005 Lachlan River Glen Boss John Morrisey
2004 Toulouse Lautrec Corey Brown John Hawkes
2003 Half Hennessy Scott Seamer Bede Murray
2002 County Tyrone Corey Brown Max Lees
2001 De Gaulle Lane Brett Prebble Cindy Alderson
2000 Freemason Larry Cassidy John Hawkes

Queensland Derby winners pre-2000

Queensland Derby Past Winners Pre 2000
Year Horse
1999 Camarena
1998 Dodge
1997 Yippyio
1996 Valance
1995 Turridu
1994 Tenor
1993 Air Seattle
1992 Royal Magic
1991 Dorset Downs
1990 Rough Habit
1989 Hidden Rhythm
1988 Bravery
1987 Princess Gracious
1986 Handy Proverb
1985 Tristina
1984 Librici
1983 Strawberry Road
1982 Our Planet
1981 Mr. Cromwell
1980 Kingston Town
1979 Double Century
1978 Lefroy
1977 Florissa
1976 Cheyne Walk
1975 Bottled Sunshine
1974 Count Rapier
1973 Analie
1972 Race Not Held
1971 Amby’s Love
1970 Silver Sharpe
1969 Intrepid Clipper
1968 Tails
1967 Minto Crag
1966 Dark Briar
1965 Bahram Star
1964 Royal Sovereign
1963 Confidence
1962 Honest Man
1961 Raajpoot
1960 Persian Lyric
1959 Travel Boy
1958 Earlwood
1957 Tulloch
1956 Book Link
1955 Regal Dignity
1954 The Wash
1953 Castillo
1952 Headstockman
1951 Forest Beau
1950 Basha Felika
1949 Pocket Money
1948 Blue Slipper
1947 Sefiona
1946 Te Tana
1945-42 Race Not Held
1941 Lord Spear
1940 Fearless Fox
1939 Spearace
1938 Hendra Lad
1937 Spear Chief
1936 Six Fifty
1935 Auto Buz
1934 Glen’s Spear
1933 Waikare
1932 Braeburn
1931 Lough Neagh
1930 Monash Valley
1929 Bernfield
1928 Paddi Eve
1927 High Syce
1926 Kitty Paddington
1925 Wee Glen
1924 Serelot
1923 Ardglen
1922 Kingslot
1921 Lawn Mower
1920 Seremist
1919 Boy Syce
1918 Syce Lad
1917 Symposium
1916 Lord Acre
1915 Rascasse
1914 Fog Bell
1913 Signal Lamp
1912 King Cleo
1911 Maritoria
1910 Persian Jewel
1909 Braw Laddie
1908 Flaxen
1907 Euroa
1906 Togo
1905 Alexis
1904 Joyance
1903 Fitz Grafton
1902 Balfour
1901 Narelle
1900 Musket
1899 Master Bernie
1898 Boreas II
1897 The Guard
1896 Greyleg
1895 Black Diamond
1894 Czarina
1893 Triton
1892 Tridentate
1891 Spendide
1890 Garuda
1889 Fernando
1888 Greywing
1887 Lord Headington
1886 Fano
1885 Elbe
1884 Petronel
1883 Wheatmeat
1882 Goldfinder
1881 Legerdemain
1880 Waterloo
1879 Elastic
1878 Whisker
1877-73 Race Not Held
1872 J.L.
1871 Florence
1870 Grafton
1869 Zambesi
1868 Hermit
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