'the best single day of thoroughbred racing'
Date: Saturday 29 October 2011

AAMI Victoria Derby Day is considered by most racing purists to be the best single day of thoroughbred racing in Australia, if not the world.

The AAMI Victoria Derby is Victoria's Blue Riband event for Three Year Olds, and is one of the most important races for horses in this age category in Australia.

The Derby is generally regarded as the VRC's second most prestigious race. It is currently valued at $AUD1,500,000, with trophies valued at $10,000.

The mighty Phar Lap won the Victoria Derby in 1929.

In 2004, the VRC celebrated the 150th anniversary of the Victoria Derby. As part of these celebrations, a panel of racing experts across several generations was assembled to vote for the greatest Derby winner. The result of the poll was as follows:

The AAMI Victoria Derby is run over 2500 Metres, at Set Weights. Colts and geldings carry 55.5kg, with Fillies receiving an allowance of 2½kg. The last filly to win the AAMI Victoria Derby was Frances Tressady in 1923.

History

The oldest classic race on the Victorian racing calendar, the AAMI Victoria Derby was first contested in 1855, six years before the Melbourne Cup. After Fireworks won the race in 1867, it was decided to change the Derby date to New Year's Day enabling Fireworks to become the only dual winner of the race. Many Victoria Derby winners and placegetters have continued on to win the Melbourne Cup, and/or to achieve success at the stud.

The 2003 Victoria Derby victor, Elvstroem, went on to win the 2004 Caulfield Cup, as well as a host of other Group 2 and Group 1 races. In doing so, he was the first Derby winner to win the Caulfield Cup as a 4YO for 78 years, emulating the feat achieved by the great Manfred in 1926.

From 1988, the Derby winner became eligible for late entry and guaranteed inclusion into the field for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, run three days later.

Stylish Century started as favourite in the 1989 Melbourne Cup after winning the AAMI Victoria Derby, but was unsuccessful. However, in 1995 the AAMI Victoria Derby winner Nothin' Leica Dane ran a gallant second to Doriemus in the Melbourne Cup of that year.

For the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup, this late entry clause was deleted from the race conditions - as a major international contest, the event had “outgrown” such a condition of local racing.

To view all the results from the 2011 AAMI Victoria Derby Day, head to our Victoria Racing Club website:

• 2011 AAMI Victoria Derby Day race results.

Past winners of the AAMI Derby for the past 25 years

More historical information can also be found:

• On our Resources for Schools website.
• By visiting our Flemington Heritage Centre and take a guided walking tour of the Melbourne Cup Walk of Fame.