Horse Racing

The Western Australia Turf Club (WATC) Derby is a Group 1 thoroughbred race at the Ascot Racecourse in Perth during the Perth Autumn Carnival in April each year. Raced over the traditional derby distance of 2400m, it is an event for three-year-olds at set weights and is worth $500 000.

As Perth?s leading staying race for three-year-olds, the WATC Derby attracts a highly competitive field of quality runners, both locally and interstate. It is held on the same day as the Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m). The WATC Derby is one of only three Group 1 races held at Perth; the others are the Railway Stakes (1600m) and the Kingston Town Classic (1800m).

As the highly prestigious Sydney Autumn Carnival is taking place around the same time in New South Wales, many of the topline gallopers will be there contesting races like the AJC Derby and Australian Oaks. The WATC Derby victor, therefore, is usually an above average but not elite horse. Recent winners include Markus Maximus (2009), Grand Journey (2008) and Guyno (2007).

Female runners in the WATC Derby will likely have raced in the Group 3 WA Oakes (2400m) the week before, or the Group 3 Champion Fillies (1600m) in February, so look for the dominant fillies in these set weight races as an indication for the Derby as well as those gallopers that have proven themselves able to last the 2400m distance in events like the Group 2 CB Cox Stakes (2100m).

WATC Derby History:

First run in 1888 when Harridan claimed victory, the WATC Derby is one of the oldest and most prominent races in Perth. Beginning as a Principal race run over 12 furlongs, the race distance was converted into 2400m in 1972. It reached Group 1 status soon after in 1979 and 1987 is the only time in its long history when the race was not held.

Last 10 Years of WATC Derby Winners: