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The Australian Derby is a classic Group 1 race for three-year-olds. Held on a Saturday in early April during the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the race takes place at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Day 1 of ‘The Championships’. This is a classic Derby, raced over a distance of 2400 metres (a mile and a half) and offers $2 million in total prize money.

The Australian Derby prizemoney for 2020 was reduced to $1 million to help cope with the financial stress on the industry brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, but was back to $2 million in 2021.

As a set weights race, colts and geldings must carry 56.5kg and fillies must carry 54.5kg. The ATC Australian Derby is regarded as a prestigious event and attracts some of the greatest emerging stayers from around the country.

Run on Doncaster Mile Day the Australian Derby is one of four Group 1 races on the card along with the $4 million Doncaster Mile (1600m), $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m), and the $1 million ATC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m).

Following a run in the ATC Derby some of the better young stayers may head to Adelaide in May for the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) with Explosive Jack (2021) the last to do the interstate Derby double.

The Australian Derby winner is exempt from ballot for the upcoming Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes the following Saturday.

In 2024 the Chris Waller-trained Riff Rocket became the fourth horse in history to complete the interstate Victoria Derby – Australian Derby double. He also completed that year’s Rosehill Guineas – ATC Derby double and handed Waller his first Australian Derby victory as a trainer.

The 2024 Australia Derby ran on Saturday April 6, 2024 on Day 1 of The Championships in Sydney and was won in terrific fashion by Chris Waller’s last start Rosehill Guineas hero and race favourite Riff Rocket ($2.20F).  

Australian Derby 2024
Date:	Saturday April 6, 2024
Track:	Randwick Racecourse
Distance:	2400m
Race Type:	3YO Set Weights
Status:	Group 1
Prize Money:	$2,000,000

The key lead up races for the Australian Derby are the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) held two weeks earlier and the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) held one week before at Rosehill Gardens.

The Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby double has recently been achieved by the likes of It’s A Dundeel (2013), Criterion (2014), and Riff Rocket (2024).

The Tulloch Stakes – Australian Derby was achieved four times in as many years by Jon Snow (2017), Levendi (2018), Angel Of Truth (2019), and Quick Thinker (2020).

In 2023 Major Beel improved on his lead-up second the Saturday prior in the Tulloch Stakes to score an upset Australian Derby win at 30/1.

2024 Australian Derby Results

• 1st: #1 Riff Rocket ($2.20F)
• 2nd: #3 Ceolwulf
• 3rd: #9 Glad You Think So

Trainer Chris Waller incredibly celebrated his maiden Australian Derby win with his VRC Derby champion from the spring and last start Rosehill Guineas winner Riff Rocket ($2.20F) came from second last to first off a gun James McDonald ride to score a narrow but convincing victory in the 2024 ATC Derby results at Randwick.

Click here to read more on the thrilling Australian Derby 2024 victory by the top elect Riff Rocket.

2024 Australian Derby Results & Finishing Order

	Finish	No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Bar.	Weight	Penalty	Starting Price
	1	1	RIFF ROCKET	Chris Waller	James McDonald		8	56.5kg		$2.20F
	2	3	CEOLWULF (NZ)	Joseph Pride	Blake Shinn	0.34L	4	56.5kg		$7
	3	9	GLAD YOU THINK SO	John Sargent	Ms Rachel King	4.47L	3	56.5kg		$91
	4	2	TOM KITTEN	James Cummings	Adam Hyeronimus	5.13L	2	56.5kg		$7
	5	6	IMMEDIACY (NZ)	Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young	Luke Currie	6.01L	11	56.5kg		$10
	6	4	CAP FERRAT	Chris Waller	Nash Rawiller	6.03L	5	56.5kg		$14
	7	7	WYMARK (NZ)	Michael Freedman	Tommy Berry	6.13L	12	56.5kg		$6.50
	8	8	NOISY BOY	Todd Howlett	Jay Ford	9.12L	6	56.5kg		$31
	9	5	GANBARE	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Tim Clark	9.59L	1	56.5kg		$21
	10	10	ADAGIO	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Regan Bayliss	12.4L	9	56.5kg		$81
	11	11	ZENMASTER	Craig Carmody	Chad Schofield	24.66L	7	56.5kg		$201
	12	12	HOOLIGAN TOMMY (NZ)	John Sargent	Jason Collett	29.84L	10	56.5kg		$61
		14	ZARDOZI	James Cummings	Ms Jamie Kah		0
		13	SAXON BRAVE	Daiki Chujo	Joshua Parr		0

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2024 Australian Derby Betting Odds

Over the autumn the all-in and final field Australian Derby 2024 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au complete with market links to the Group 1 staying clash will be available below.

Hitotsu ($3.30 in 2022) and Riff Rocket ($2.20 in 2024) – who both also won the VRC Derby the spring prior – are the latest favourites in Australian Derby betting to win.

There was a notable upset in 2023 with Major Beel winning at Australian Derby odds of $31.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST 2024 AUSTRALIAN DERBY ODDS (Final Field)

2024 Australian Derby Form Guide

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2024 AUSTRALIAN DERBY FORM GUIDE

2024 Australian Derby Tips

Stay tuned for our insider Australian Derby 2024 tips and best bets to be published below during race week.

• To Win: #1 Riff Rocket ($3 at time of publish) – BET NOW

While there are historical factors that might work against the favourite Riff Rocket, his current form is undeniable. Chris Waller has yet to capture the ATC Derby, but with his VRC Derby hero from the spring, he has a strong contender in 2024. Riff Rocket has been remarkably consistent this preparation, finishing a close third in the Australian Guineas (Flemington) followed by a win in the Rosehill Guineas. He comes into the race fit and ready to perform after extending his distance. While unproven at Randwick and untested on a Heavy track, his sheer class makes him the horse to beat.

*All odds quoted are provided by Ladbrokes.com.au, correct at time of print and subject to change.

2024 Australian Derby Field

The Australian Derby field attracts a line-up of the season’s best three-year-old stayers. The majority of the horses that run in the ATC Derby field are colts and geldings, with the fillies generally running the following weekend in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) against their own kind.

The official 2024 Australian Derby field and barriers are set to be released by Racing NSW on Tuesday April 2, 2024 and will be published in full below.

The Australian Derby 2024 final field features a talented line-up of young stayers including the VRC Derby champ Riff Rocket coming off a Rosehill Guineas win and VRC Oaks winning filly Zardozi taking on the boys after a lead-up Vinery Stud Stakes third.

• 2024 ATC Derby Scratchings: #13 Saxon Brave (6), #14 Zardozi (2). 

Click here to read more on the key runners in the Australian Derby 2024 field and betting markets.

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Probable Weight	Penalty	Hcp Rating
1	x12121x131	RIFF ROCKET	Chris Waller	James McDonald	10	56.5kg			107
2	13321×6546	TOM KITTEN	James Cummings	Adam Hyeronimus	3	56.5kg			100
3	312x6x662	CEOLWULF (NZ)	Joseph Pride	Blake Shinn	5	56.5kg			92
4	5x9732x673	CAP FERRAT	Chris Waller	Nash Rawiller	7	56.5kg			88
5	x41183x794	GANBARE	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Tim Clark	1	56.5kg			88
6	1115	IMMEDIACY (NZ)	Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young	Luke Currie	13	56.5kg			88
7	34×2421111	WYMARK (NZ)	Michael Freedman	Tommy Berry	14	56.5kg			88
8	24100×652	NOISY BOY	Todd Howlett	Jay Ford	8	56.5kg			80
9	31150×3067	GLAD YOU THINK SO	John Sargent	Ms Rachel King	4	56.5kg			69
10	21241	ADAGIO	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Regan Bayliss	11	56.5kg			60
11	x01x598462	ZENMASTER	Craig Carmody	Chad Schofield	9	56.5kg			60
12	5x865x233	HOOLIGAN TOMMY (NZ)	John Sargent	Jason Collett	12	56.5kg			56
13	x32524x231	SAXON BRAVE	Daiki Chujo	Joshua Parr	6	56.5kg			55
14	007121×013	ZARDOZI	James Cummings	Ms Jamie Kah	2	54.5kg			102

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

2024 Australian Derby First Acceptances

Like all of the Group 1 races run at Randwick Racecourse on Doncaster Mile Day, the Australian Derby first acceptances close around a month before the race takes place.

The 2024 Australian Derby first acceptances close at midday on Tuesday the 12th of March, 2024. 

The Australian Derby 2024 first acceptances are now out with 56 three-year-old staying types left in the mix including the spring’s VRC Derby winner Riff Rocket, star NZ Derby winning filly Orchestral on a hot streak back home, and the Godolphin-raced Tom Kitten.

2024 Australian Derby Nominations

Like all of the Group 1 races run at Randwick Racecourse on Doncaster Mile Day, the Australian Derby nominations close in early to mid-February around two months before the race takes place and often attract over 100 early entries.

The 2024 Australian Derby nominations close at midday on Tuesday the 13th of February, 2024. 

The prestigious 2024 Australian Derby promises a clash of the titans with a staggering 134 hopeful stayers nominated for the 2400m classic. Leading the charge is Godolphin’s rising star Tom Kitten, dominant Spring Champion Stakes victor last prep. He’ll face a determined challenge from Chris Waller’s powerhouse stayer Riff Rocket, seeking to achieve the rare feat of conquering the VRC – Australian Derby double. Adding another layer of intrigue is Lindsay Park’s talented Apulia, winner of the Moonee Valley Vase and a close runner-up in the prestigious Victoria Derby.

Australian Derby History

With names such as Phar Lap, Tulloch and Kingstown Town included in the list of race winners, it’s little wonder why this race is so highly regarded in the industry. First won by Kyogle in 1861, the event was titled the Randwick Derby Stakes. In 1865, it was changed to the Australian Derby Stakes and in 1994 it was given its current name.

The Derby was originally run over 1 1/2 miles however was changed in 1972 to 2400m to conform to the metric system. Between 1932 and 1956 geldings were banned from competing in the race.

The 2020 Australian Derby results saw Quick Thinker become the fourth horse in as many years to do the Tulloch Stakes – ATC Derby double. The Kiwi also handed co-trainer Murray Baker with his fifth win in the classic.

In 2022 Hitotsu made history as the first horse since Mahogany (1993-94) to win the Victoria derby – Australian Derby interstate double. He also became the first Australian Guineas winner to back up and win the Australian Derby without a run in between.

Gai Waterhouse celebrated her maiden Australian Derby win in 2023 with Major Beel ($31) in partnership with Adrian Bott. Waterhouse’s father TJ Smith holds the Australian Derby record having prepared an incredible nine winners throughout his career.

See below for the full Australian Derby results going back to 2000.

The VRC Derby – ATC Derby double was last completed by Riff Rocket (2023/24).

Australian Derby Records
Time Record:	2:28.41 – Octagonal (1996)
Largest Winning Margin:	10 Lengths – Trident (1886)
Most wins by a Jockey:	6 Wins – Thomas Hales (1875, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886, 1887)

Recent Australian Derby Winners

Year	Place	Horse	Time
2024 Australian Derby	1st	Riff Rocket	2 minutes 23.45 seconds
	2nd	Ceolwulf
	3rd	Glad You Think So
2023 Australian Derby	1st	Major Beel	2 minutes 40.37 seconds
	2nd	Virtuous Circle
	3rd	Suizruo
2022 Australian Derby	1st	Hitotsu	2 minutes 39.39 seconds
	2nd	Benaud
	3rd	Alegron
2021 Australian Derby	1st	Explosive Jack	2 minutes 34.13 seconds
	2nd	Young Werther
	3rd	Lion’s Roar
2020 Australian Derby	1st	Quick Thinker	2 minutes 34.24 seconds
	2nd	Zebrowski
	3rd	Eric The Eel
2019 Australian Derby	1st	Angel Of Truth	2 minutes 35.67 seconds
	2nd	Madison County
	3rd	Surely Sacred
2018 Australian Derby	1st	Levendi	2 minutes 28.73 seconds
	2nd	Ace High
	3rd	Tangled
2017 Australian Derby	1st	Jon Snow	2 minutes 38.18 seconds
	2nd	Harper’s Choice
	3rd	Hardham
2016 Australian Derby	1st	Tavago	2 minutes 33.6 seconds
	2nd	Jameka
	3rd	Tally
2015 Australian Derby	1st	Mongolian Khan	2 minutes 37.10 seconds
	2nd	Hauraki
	3rd	Volkstok’n’barrell
2014 Australian Derby	1st	Criterion	2 minutes 38.49 seconds
	2nd	Tupac Amaru
	3rd	Hooked
2013 Australian Derby	1st	It’s A Dundeel	2 minutes 33.49 seconds
	2nd	Philippi
	3rd	Kingdoms
2012 Australian Derby	1st	Ethiopia	2 minutes 28.7 seconds
	2nd	Polish Knight
	3rd	Laser Hawk
2011 Australian Derby	1st	Shamrocker	2 minutes 29.4 seconds
	2nd	Retrieve
	3rd	Anacheeva
2010 Australian Derby	1st	Shoot Out	2 minutes 32.68 seconds
	2nd	Descarado
	3rd	Monaco Consul
2009 Australian Derby	1st	Roman Emperor	2 minutes 31 seconds
	2nd	Harris Tweed
	3rd	Predatory Pricer
2008 Australian Derby	1st	Nom De Jeu	2 minutes 36.2 seconds
	2nd	Red Ruler
	3rd	Littorio
2007 Australian Derby	1st	Flumicino	2 minutes 36.4 seconds
	2nd	Ambitious General
	3rd	Tuesday Joy
2006 Australian Derby	1st	Headturner	2 minutes 29.9 seconds
	2nd	De Beers
	3rd	Testafiable
2005 Australian Derby	1st	Eremein	2 minutes 35.8 seconds
	2nd	Stella Grande
	3rd	Railings
2004 Australian Derby	1st	Starcraft	2 minutes 34.8 seconds
	2nd	Braeloch
	3rd	Delzao
2003 Australian Derby	1st	Clangalang	2 minutes 32.3 seconds
	2nd	Strasbourg
	3rd	Mummify
2002 Australian Derby	1st	Don Eduardo	2 minutes 32.7 seconds
	2nd	Carnegie Express
	3rd	Pentastic
2001 Australian Derby	1st	Universal Prince	2 minutes 30.8 seconds
	2nd	Sir Clive
	3rd	Danamite
2000 Australian Derby	1st	Fairway	2 minutes 34 seconds
	2nd	Shogun Lodge
	3rd	Now Voyager

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