Victoria Derby

Victoria Derby

Group One Betting Guide
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Location: Flemington Racecourse – Melbourne, Victoria
Prize Money: $2,000,000
Distance: 2500m

The Victoria Derby headlines Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival each year.

From 1855 to 1971, the race was a 2400 metre chase, but the extra 100 metres to make it a 2500m contest was added in 1973. The pretty-named Rose of May was the first winner of the race, 160 years ago.

One of the toughest races to win, only won horse has saluted more than once, with Fireworks storming home in 1867 and 1868.

Derby Day is one of the most popular days of the Melbourne spring racing carnival.

You will routinely find 100,000 punters or more packing the stands at Flemington for the event, as 16 runners attempt to claim the derby.

Pointers to this race include the group two Moonee Valley Vase, with the likes of Tarzino (2015), Efficient (2006), Plastered (2004), Helenus (2002), Blevic (1994) and Raveneaux (1986) all coming through the Moonee Valley race.

Efficient nabbed both races in 2006 and went on to win the Melbourne Cup the year after.


2024 Victoria Derby Odds

Markets for the 2024 Victoria Derby are currently unavailable.


Best Victoria Derby bookmakers

The Victoria Derby is one of the most popular races on the Australian thoroughbred racing calendar and there’s no shortage of action on the group 1 event.

The team at Horse Betting has compiled comprehensive reviews of our trusted online bookmakers which all offer markets on the Victoria Derby.


Latest VRC Derby News

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Most successful trainers and jockeys in the Victoria Derby

Damien Oliver
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is no stranger to success in the Derby.

Legendary trainer James Scobie claimed a remarkable eight Victoria Derby’s, the first in 1900 and the last 37 years later in 1937.

The great Bobbie Lewis had plenty to thank Scobie for, piloting five of his winners home in a glittering career.

Damien Oliver has won the race six times.

Cups king Bart Cummings has trained the winner of the Victoria Derby seven times, with the last of his wins coming in 1987 with Omnicorp.

In modern times Lee Freedman is the pick of the trainers, having won it three times since 1983, with Benicio (2005), Portland Player (1996) and Mahogany (1993).

David Hayes has also been a prominent trainer in the great race, with Kings High (1988) and Kibbutz (2007) giving him two victories.


2024 Victoria Derby Final Field

Horsebetting will update this page when the 2024 VRC Derby field is released.


Previous Victoria Derby Fields

Plenty of future Group 1 superstars have won the Victoria Derby. Check the previous fields of the Derby here.

  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Silks
    Apulia
    Ben, Will & JD Hayes
    Mark Zahra
    3
    57kg
    2 Silks
    Verdad
    Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock
    Jye McNeil
    4
    57kg
    3 Silks
    Air Assault
    Andrew Gluyas
    Ben Allen
    6
    57kg
    4 Silks
    Riff Rocket
    Chris Waller
    James McDonald
    5
    57kg
    5 Silks
    Sunsets
    Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
    John Allen
    16
    57kg
    6 Silks
    Make A Call
    Peter & Paul Snowden
    Jamie Kah
    15
    57kg
    7 Silks
    Gold Bullion
    Gai Waterhouse & Jamie Kah
    Opie Bosson
    13
    57kg
    8 Silks
    Gates
    Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman
    Luke Nolen
    14
    57kg
    9 Silks
    Kosgei
    Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
    Blake Shinn
    12
    57kg
    10 Silks
    Bulawayo
    Pat Carey & Harris Walker
    Celine Gaudray
    7
    57kg
    11 Silks
    Sacred Eagle
    Symon Wilde
    Jordan Childs
    2
    57kg
    12 Silks
    Roguery
    Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans
    Billy Egan
    1
    57kg
    13 Silks
    Mercante
    Nigel Blackiston
    Damien Oliver
    11
    57kg
    14 Silks
    To Be Frank
    Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
    Jamie Spencer
    10
    57kg
    15 Silks
    Warialda Warrior
    John Ramsey
    Darryl McLellan
    9
    57kg
    16 Silks
    Tokyo Run
    Dean Mirfin
    Declan Bates
    8
    57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1
    Sharp ‘N’ Smart
    Graeme & Deborah Rogerson
    James McDonald
    3
    57kg
    2
    Berkeley Square
    Dan O’Sullivan
    Craig Williams
    5
    57kg
    3
    Let’srollthedice
    Danny O’Brien
    Ben Melham
    7
    57kg
    4
    Mr Maestro
    Andrew Forsman
    Damian Lane
    17
    57kg
    5
    Pericles
    James Cummings
    William Buick
    6
    57kg
    6
    Grand Pierro
    Jason Warren
    Mark Zahra
    15
    57kg
    7
    Manzoice
    Chris Waller
    Michael Dee
    8
    57kg
    8
    Foujita San
    Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes
    Jye McNeil
    9
    57kg
    9
    Skyphios
    Rob Blacker
    Harry Coffey
    14
    57kg
    10
    Muramasa
    Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
    Daniel Moor
    4
    57kg
    11
    Fearless Knight
    Kacy Fogden
    Brett Prebble
    11
    57kg
    12
    Berardino
    Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
    Damien Oliver
    10
    57kg
    13
    Distrustful Award
    Paul Preusker
    Dean Yendall
    12
    57kg
    14
    Highland Blaze
    Jackson Pallot
    Liam Riordan
    13
    57kg
    15
    King’s Crossing
    Danny O’Brien
    John Allen
    16
    57kg
    16
    Lehndorff
    Mark Newnham
    Joshua Parr
    1
    57kg
    17
    Aberfeldie Boy (1E)
    Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock
    Ben Melham
    2
    57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Forgot You Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 8 57kg
    2 Tutukaka Tony Pike James McDonald 12 57kg
    3 Alegron James Cummings Brett Prebble 9 57kg
    4 Gunstock Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Jye McNeil 19 57kg
    5 Akihiro Gary Portelli Rachel King 2 57kg
    6 Character James Cummings Fred Kersley 10 57kg
    7 Jungle Magnate Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Luke Currie 5 57kg
    8 Commander Harry Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Linda Meech 15 57kg
    9 Hitotsu Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 7 57kg
    10 Cerberus Anthony & Sam Freedman Damien Thornton 20 57kg
    11 Gundec Symon Wilde Craig Williams 3 57kg
    12 Clyde Gary Portelli Dean Yendall 6 57kg
    13 El Rocko John McArdle Jamie Mott 16 57kg
    14 Raging Bull David Payne Michael Dee 17 57kg
    15 Cheerful Moment Lindsey Smith Blaike McDougall 14 57kg
    16 Teewaters Archie Alexander Declan Bates 4 57kg
    17 Zoumon (1E) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Glen Boss 13 57kg
    18 Sebastian The Fox (2E) Shay Keating Jarrod Fry 1 57kg
    19 King Of Pharaohs (3E) Lindsey Smith Will Gordon 18 57kg
    20 Spirit Of Gaylard (4E) Mitchell Freedman Jordan Childs 11 57kg
  • No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight
    1 Cherry Tortoni Patrick Payne Billy Egan 14 57kg
    2 Albarado Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Mark Zahra 8 57kg
    3 Johnny Get Angry Denis Pagan Lachlan King 5 57kg
    4 Let’s Karaka Deel Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 3 57kg
    5 Young Werther Danny O’Brien Damien Oliver 4 57kg
    6 Hit The Shot Matt Cumani Fred Kersley 9 57kg
    7 Cetshwayo Danny O’Brien Jamie Kah 10 57kg
    8 Redwood Shadow Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Jye McNeil 12 57kg
    9 Wertheimer Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Hugh Bowman 6 57kg
    10 Tour Of Duty Michael Moroney James McDonald 13 57kg
    11 Token Spirit Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Damian Lane 11 57kg
    12 Born To Succeed Saab Hasam Michael Walker 7 57kg
    13 Wisaka Michael Moroney Ben Melham 2 57kg
    14 Kenzan Danny O’Brien Daniel Moor 1 57kg

2023 Victoria Derby result


1stRiff Rocket (+120)
2ndApulia (-285.71)
3rdSunsets (+255)

Victoria Derby – Recent runnings

  • James McDonald & Chris Waller have combined to secure the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) at Flemington, with Riff Rocket ($2.15) getting the head down where it matters most. It was a ding-dong battle with Apulia ($4.20) in the closing stages as the team Hayes colt gave favourite backers a real fright in the shadows of the post. Sacred Eagle ($126.00) set a genuine tempo to make it a proper staying test, leaving Sunsets to build the revs early in the straight. Once the race went on, it was clear that the favoured pair were going to be left to fight out the finish, but in the end, it was the son of American Pharoah toughing out the victory.
  • Manzoice’s finishing burst to win the Victoria Derby at Flemington was so good, jockey Michael Dee compared it to Durston’s triumph in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago. Once again and just like the Caulfield Cup, master trainer Chris Waller had his $21 outsider expertly prepared for triumph in the Group 1 staying race over 2500m worth $2 million. The win handed jockey Michael Dee a second “classic” win and further etched his name into Australian racing folklore.
  • Heavily backed Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trained Hitotsu looked to be in great danger sitting on the rail in second last at the 400 metre mark, however inform John Allen found the opening and let the three-year-old colt do the rest of the work and see him win by a length and a half and claim his second win and first group one.
  • Having entered the VRC Derby as a maiden, it was the Denis Pagan-trained Johnny Get Angry who reigned supreme in the Derby. The long-striding kiwi bred was always going to appreciate stepping out to the 2500m and with apprentice Lachie King on board, the trainer, horse and jockey all walked away from Flemington as maiden Group 1 winners. Having tracked race favourite Young Werther into the race, Pagan’s galloper managed to wear his rival down with 100m to go to claim victory and hand the former AFL premiership coach one of the biggest achievements in his post footy life.
  • On what was a wet and miserably day, it was the Anthony Freedman-trained Warning who shined brightest in the Derby. Having claimed the listed Super Impose Stakes two starts prior, the Declaration of War gelding had shown he was a genuine VRC Derby type. Having been sent around as a $9.50 chance, Damien Oliver had him hitting the front 300m out and under urgings Warning pulled clear for a comfortable three-length victory. The win handed Damien Oliver his sixth VRC Derby success.
  • In a brutally run Victoria Derby, Darren Weir and John Allen combined to get Extra Brut home. The leaders went very hard early doors and Extra Brut was content to let those at the front run themselves into the ground. As they wilted at the top of the straight Extra Brut pounced, claiming the lead at the 200m before fighting off all comers to record a famous win.
  • Ace High showed why the Sydney form was so well respected in the lead-up to the 2017 Victoria Derby. The David Payne-trained three-year-old was positioned out three wide by jockey Tye Angland, but its class prevailed as it powered away for an easy victory. Sully battled on well for second after sitting just off the pace set by Weather with You and Astoria finished off well to continue the strong Sydney form.
  • James Cummings continued the strong tradition of Victoria Derby winners when he lined up Prized Icon to victory at Flemington. The three-year-old had been consistent throughout its career which included a placing behind Yankee Rose in the Spring Champion Stakes and it continued to excellent form by Sydney-trained horses at the Melbourne spring carnival.
  • What a run it was from the favourite. Piloted home by top hoop Craig Newitt, Tarzino stormed to victory over Etymology and Kia Ora. On the home straight, he came down the outside and streaked away from the field to salute.
  • Another D. Oliver special, Preferment, an $8.50 chance, gave the gun jockey his fifth Victoria Derby, fighting off a superb challenge from Bondeiger ($11) and Nozomi ($41). The son of the all time great Zabeel, Preferment knocked over the $2.45 favourite Hampton Court, who did not fire a shot.
  • A three year old bay colt that cost just $4000 came home to win the 2013 incarnation of the race. A feel good story, Polanski never looked like losing on the way home, fending off Complacent by three lengths, with Thunder Fantasy third.
  • Favourite Its A Dundeel was rolled by a Fiveandahalfstar effort from a $25 outsider. The Anthony Cummings trained Fiveandahalfstar beat out Super Cool and Rawnaq to give Oliver yet another win in the big race.

Previous Victoria Derby winners

Victoria Derby Past Winners
Year Horse Jockey Trainer
2023 Riff Rocket James McDonald Chris Waller
2022 Manzoice Michael Dee Chris Waller
2021 Hitotsu John Allen Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
2020 Johnny Get Angry Lachlan King Denis Pagan
2019 Warning Damien Oliver Anthony Freedman
2018 Extra Brut John Allen Darren Weir
2017 Ace High Tye Angland David Payne
2016 Prized Icon Glyn Schofield James Cummings
2015 Tarzino Craig Newitt Mick Price
2014 Preferment Damien Oliver Chris Waller
2013 Polanski Hugh Bowman Robbie Laing
2012 Fiveandahalfstar Damien Oliver Anthony Cummings
2011 Sangster Hugh Bowman Trent Busuttin
2010 Lion Tamer Hugh Bowman Murray & Bjorn Baker
2009 Monaco Consul Corey Brown Michael Moroney
2008 Rebel Raider Claire Lindop Leon Macdonald
2007 Kibbutz Craig Williams David Hayes
2006 Efficient Michael Rodd Graeme Rogerson
2005 Benicio Noel Callow Lee Freedman
2004 Plastered Paul Harvey Lindsey Smith
2003 Elvstroem Damien Oliver Tony Vasil
2002 Helenus Steven King Leon Corstens
2001 Amalfi Damien Oliver Peter Moody
2000 Hit The Roof Glen Boss David Miller

Victoria Derby Past Winners Pre 2000

Victoria Derby Past Winners Pre 2000
Year Horse
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 Dreadnaught
1888 Ensign
1887 The Australian Peer
1886 Trident
1885 Nordenfeldt
1884 Rufus
1883 Martini Henry
1882 Darebin
1881 Grand Flaneur
1880 Suwarrow
1879 Wellington
1878 Chester
1877 Briseis
1876 Robin Hood
1875 Melbourne
1874 Lapidist
1873 Loup Garou
1872 Miss Jessie
1871 Florence
1870 Charon
1869 My Dream
1868 Fireworks
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
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