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The WATC Derby (2400m) is a Group 2 event held at Ascot Racecourse in April each autumn racing carnival.
WATC Derby News
The WATC Derby (Western Australia Turf Club Derby) is a Group 2 thoroughbred race at the Ascot Racecourse in Perth during the Perth Autumn Racing 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 $400,000.
2026 WATC Derby Results
Stay tuned for the official 2026 WATC Derby results and finishing order at Ascot on Saturday April 11, 2026.
- 1st: No. 2 Sentimental Legend
- 2nd: No. 6 Tahni Talk
- 3rd: No. 8 Masmelo
Winning Margin: 2.05 lengths
Winning Time: 2:30.86
Grant & Alana Williams’ progressive Brutal gelding Sentimental Legend ($3) relished a rise to 2400m when backing up from his Listed Melvista Stakes win to easily account for his rivals in the 2026 WATC Derby results. In another masterful ride by the ‘Wizard of the West’, jockey William Pike collected his 12th win in the event. Williams tracked the favourite, WA Oaks winning filly Wonderfully Made who eventually faded to run sixth, throughout before taking over and dominating the Ascot feature securing back-to-back stakes wins.
2026 WATC Derby Odds
| 2. Sentimental Legend (1) J: William Pike57kg x3121T: Grant & Alana Williams | ||
| 6. Tahni Talk (8) J: Brayden Gaerth57kg 7×133T: Stephen Miller | ||
| 8. Masmelo (6) J: Chris Parnham55kg x3214T: Neville Parnham | ||
| 4. Hey True Blue (2) J: Shaun Mcgruddy57kg 15664T: Steve Wolfe | ||
| 1. Aberdeen Flyer (9) J: Brad Parnham57kg 53212T: Sean & Jake Casey | ||
| 7. Wonderfully Made (5) J: Lucy Fiore55kg 11131T: Daniel Morton | ||
| 3. Wynn Las Vegas (3) J: Steven Parnham57kg 6×413T: Grant & Alana Williams | ||
| 9. Poppy’s Roses (7) J: Clint Johnston-Porter55kg 62242T: Holly Taylor | ||
| 5. Sovereign Salute (4) J: Natasha Faithfull57kg 41275T: Chris Stelmach |
The WATC Derby was worth half a million dollars before being demoted from Group 1 status in 2011.
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.
The WATC Derby – also known as the Western Australian Derby – was one of the only Group 1 races held at Perth; the others at the time being the Railway Stakes (1600m) and the Kingston Town Classic (1800m), but was downgraded to a Group 2 status event so the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) could gain elite level status in 2011.
Regal Power (2019) and Western Empire (2021) are the last horses to complete the WATC Derby – Railway Stakes double in the same year.
Regal Power went on to frank the form in Melbourne the following autumn with a second in Flemington’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) and a win in the second edition of the then $5 million The All-Star Mile (1600m).
Western Empire meanwhile backed-up from his 2021 Railway Stakes victory to place second in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) – now Northerly Stakes – behind Regal Power during an outstanding campaign.
As the highly prestigious Sydney Autumn Carnival is taking place around the same time in New South Wales, many of the top-line gallopers will be there contesting races like the Australian Derby and Australian Oaks. The WATC Derby winner, therefore, is usually an above average but not elite horse from a local Perth-based stable.
The WATC Derby form was franked in 2023 with the third placed filly, She’s Fit, going on to run second in Adelaide’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
In 2025, Machine Gun Gracie became the latest filly to complete the WA Oaks / WATC Derby double.
The WATC Derby 2026 an on Saturday April 11, 2026 at Ascot Racecourse in Perth and was won in a brilliant two-length romp home by the talented Grant & Alana Williams-trained Brutal gelding Sentimental Legend ($3). Â
| 2026 WATC Derby | |
|---|---|
| Date: | Saturday April 11, 2026 |
| Track: | Ascot Racecourse |
| Distance: | 2400m |
| Conditions: | Three-year-olds at Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $400,000 |
| Inaugurated: | 1888 |
2026 WATC Derby Betting
The season’s latest WATC Derby 2026 betting odds and betting market links to Ladbrokes.com.au will be available at Races.com.au.
Western Empire ($1.30 in 2021) and Machine Gun Gracie ($1.55 in 2025) are the lastest WATC Derby favourites to salute.
2026 WATC Derby Form
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL 2026 WATC DERBY FORM GUIDE
2026 WATC Derby Tips
Stay tuned for our insider WATC Derby 2026 Tips on the three-year-olds to back in the Group 2 feature this autumn.
To Win: No. 7 Wonderfully Made
Finding it impossible to tip against the talented WONDERFULLY MADE (5) who takes on the boys in the Derby over the same track and trip she demolished her fellow fillies over last time out. In the WA Oaks (2400m), a race which has proven a strong form line for the Group 2 WATC Derby in recent history, she was enormous saluting by over four lengths. Machine Gun Gracie did the Oaks/Derby double in Perth last season and there’s plenty to suggest this Dan Morton-trained daughter of Playing God can repeat the feat. With the mile and half box well and truly ticked, she’s got an outstanding Ascot track record (6:3-1-1) and has Lucy Fiore sticking with. She may not have won the Oaks in as slick a time as the boys that day, but she was effortless and can go on with it now. Barrier puts her in the right spot, and she’ll take the power of beating.
|
7. Wonderfully Made (5)
J: Lucy Fiore55kg
11131T: Daniel Morton
|
2026 WATC Derby Field
Female runners in the WATC Derby field will likely have raced in the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) the week before or the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies (1600m) in February, so look for the dominant fillies in these set weight races as an indication for the WATC Derby as well as those gallopers that have proven themselves able to last the 2400m distance.
Tuscan Queen (2020) and Machine Gun Gracie (2025) are the latest fillies to complete the WA Oaks – WATC Derby double.
Another good lead-up to the WATC Derby field is the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m) in March.
Regal Power (2019), Western Empire (2021), Alaskan God (2022) and Sentimental Legend (2026) are the latest horses to do the Melvista Stakes – WATC Derby double.
In 2024 Buckets Ridge and A Lot Of Good Men ran first and second in the Melvista, and then finished in the reverse order with a Lot Of Good Men turning the tables to win the WATC Derby over Buckets Ridge next start.
The official 2026 WATC Derby field will be announced below once final acceptances close on the Wednesday of race week.
The WATC Derby 2026 final field features a small but smart line-up of nine young stayers led in betting by the ultra-consistent Dan Morton-trained Wonderfully Made coming off a huge four-length win in the WA Oaks.
| No | Last 10 | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Penalty | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43x2x53212 | ABERDEEN FLYER | Sean & Jake Casey | Brad Parnham | 9 | 57kg | Â | 75 |
| 2 | 1×3121 | SENTIMENTAL LEGEND | Grant & Alana Williams | William Pike | 1 | 57kg | Â | 74 |
| 3 | 26×413 | WYNN LAS VEGAS | Grant & Alana Williams | Steven Parnham | 3 | 57kg | Â | 65 |
| 4 | x70x015664 | HEY TRUE BLUE | Steve Wolfe | Shaun McGruddy | 2 | 57kg | Â | 62 |
| 5 | 41275 | SOVEREIGN SALUTE | Chris Stelmach | Ms Tash Faithfull | 4 | 57kg | Â | 63 |
| 6 | 7×133 | TAHNI TALK | Stephen Miller | Brayden Gaerth | 8 | 57kg | Â | 62 |
| 7 | 20x7x11131 | WONDERFULLY MADE | Daniel Morton | Ms Lucy Fiore | 5 | 55kg | Â | 78 |
| 8 | 45316×3214 | MASMELO | Neville Parnham | Chris Parnham | 6 | 55kg | Â | 70 |
| 9 | 0662242 | POPPY’S ROSES | Holly Taylor | Clint Johnston-Porter | 7 | 55kg |  | 68 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
2026 WATC Derby Nominations
Nominations for the WATC Derby in 2026 are taken the Tuesday of race week and will be published in full below once announced.
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.
The WATC Derby was downgraded back to a Group 2 event in 2011. The fillies have a strong recent record in WATC Derby history including wins by Delicacy (2015), Arcadia Dream (2016), Tuscan Queen (2020) and Machine Gun Gracie (2025).
Other notable WATC Derby winners include Plastered (2005), Grand Journey (2008), Respondent (2014), and subsequent The All-Star Mile champion Regal Power (2019).
In 2026, jockey William Pike claimed his incredible 12th WATC Derby victory aboard Sentimental Legend.
Recent WATC Derby Winners
The full list of WATC Derby winners and placegetters going back to 2000 are found below.
| Year | Place | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Sentimental Legend | 2 minutes 30.86 seconds |
| 2nd | Tahni Talk | ||
| 3rd | Masmelo | ||
| 2025 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Machine Gun Gracie | 2 minutes 29.82 seconds |
| 2nd | Funchal | ||
| 3rd | Sail Session | ||
| 2024 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | A Lot Of Good Men | 2 minutes 29.80 seconds |
| 2nd | Buckets Ridge | ||
| 3rd | Lord Vampi | ||
| 2023 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Awesome John | 2 minutes 32.06 seconds |
| 2nd | Another Chino | ||
| 3rd | She’s Fit | ||
| 2022 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Alaskan God | 2 minutes 31.71 seconds |
| 2nd | Pale Rider | ||
| 3rd | Black Fantasy | ||
| 2021 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Western Empire | 2 minutes 30.91 seconds |
| 2nd | Temptacion | ||
| 3rd | Kerman Rock | ||
| 2020 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Tuscan Queen | 2 minutes 32.24 seconds |
| 2nd | Red Hot Tip | ||
| 3rd | Criminal Code | ||
| 2019 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Regal Power | 2 minutes 30.69 seconds |
| 2nd | Cockney Crew | ||
| 3rd | Ping Me Another | ||
| 2018 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Action | 2 minutes 29.92 seconds |
| 2nd | Like A Butterfly | ||
| 3rd | Media Baron | ||
| 2017 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Gatting | 2 minutes 30.33 seconds |
| 2nd | Very Tempting | ||
| 3rd | Chill The Champers | ||
| 2016 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Arcadia Dream | 2 minutes 31.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Who Dat Singa | ||
| 3rd | Culverin | ||
| 2015 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Delicacy | 2 minutes 38.23 seconds |
| 2nd | Keysbrook | ||
| 3rd | Boom Time | ||
| 2014 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Respondent | 2 minutes 29.59 seconds |
| 2nd | Ihtsahymn | ||
| 3rd | Real Love | ||
| 2013 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Mystic Prince | 2 minutes 31.43 seconds |
| 2nd | Moreish | ||
| 3rd | Desert Glow | ||
| 2012 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Rohan | 2 minutes 34.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Flashy Fella | ||
| 3rd | The Social Network | ||
| 2011 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Dreamaway | 2 minutes 30.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Playing God | ||
| 3rd | Rio Danek | ||
| 2010 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Chartreux | 2 minutes 27.96 seconds |
| 2nd | Bridgestone | ||
| 3rd | Brother Mak | ||
| 2009 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Marcus Maximus | 2 minutes 31.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Berlioz | ||
| 3rd | Phenomenons | ||
| 2008 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Grand Journey | 2 minutes 28.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Yuro | ||
| 3rd | Star Encounter | ||
| 2007 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Guyno | 2 minutes 29 seconds |
| 2nd | Ballack | ||
| 3rd | Original Lovalover | ||
| 2006 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Catsfun | 2 minutes 29.7 seconds |
| 2nd | Raise A Call | ||
| 3rd | Scenic Shot | ||
| 2005 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Plastered | 2: minutes 31.3 seconds |
| 2nd | Royal Drive | ||
| 3rd | Master Minx | ||
| 2004 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Mr Sandgroper | 2 minutes 36.2 seconds |
| 2nd | Fatal Attraction | ||
| 3rd | Cr. Prosecutor / Magic | ||
| 2003 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Shirazamatazz | 2 minutes 32.8 seconds |
| 2nd | Conspirator | ||
| 3rd | Golden Prospect | ||
| 2002 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Honor Lap | 2 minutes 31.5 seconds |
| 2nd | Lord Mason | ||
| 3rd | Storm Fille | ||
| 2001 W.A.T.C. Derby | Race Not Held | ||
| 2000 W.A.T.C. Derby | 1st | Old Money | 2 minutes 30.4 seconds |
| 2nd | Tingling | ||
| 3rd | Grand Turismo | ||
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