Horse Racing

AJC Australian Derby

The Australian Derby, also referred to as the AJC Derby or the lengthy AJC Australian Derby, is the final race of the Australian Triple Crown. It is one of the oldest races in Australia, inaugurated in 1861, almost a century before the Australian Triple Crown was introduced. As the race is hosted at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, the original version of the event was known as the AJC Randwick Derby Stakes. In 1865 the name was changed to the AJC Australia Derby Stakes, which was shortened to the simpler AJC Derby in 1873, before finally being named the AJC Australian Derby in 1994.

The race is held in April as part of the Sydney Autumn Carnival and is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is one of the richest races in Australia, awarding a purse of AU$1.3 million, making it a fierce contest over one mile, three furlongs and 204 yards. Only the finest thoroughbreds get to walk away with the lucrative prize and join the ranks of some of the greatest runners of all time. The Australian Derby counts amongst its winners the never-surpassed Phar Lap, as well as Kingston Town and Tulloch, two racing legends from Down Under.

The time record at the Australian Derby is held by Octagon, who finished the gruelling staying race in 2 minutes 28.41 seconds in 1996. A human legend of the race is jockey Thomas Hales, who managed to ride no less than six winners in the great events early days between 1875 and 1887.

The Australian Derby is one of the most-attended races of the Australian season, second only to the likes of the legendary Melbourne Cup.

Recent Winners of the AJC Australian Derby: