Australian Derby

Australian Derby. Winners and Past Results.

Among the most prestigious races held during Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival is the AJC Australian Derby. Bonus $250 Bet That Can't Lose

The Group 1 race, also known as the AJC Derby, is for three year olds and is run over 2400 meters under set weight conditions.

Derby day, held in mid April, features a packed racing card and includes other high profile events including the TJ Smith Stakes.

The AJC Derby has some of the top horses from around the country contesting for the $1,500,000 prize money.

The 2400 meter race is a blue ribbon event from where horses move on to greater glory on the Australian race tracks, winning premier races across the country. Once through with their racing career, many AJC Derby winners move on to become champion stallions or broodmares.

The race has gone through many changes over the years.

The AJC Derby has a rich history dating back to 1861 with Kyogle winning the first event. The Derby was a principal race until 1979. In 1980, the AJC Derby was classified as a Group 1 race which was won by the outstanding thoroughbred champion Kingston Town, the inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

Other notable winners include the mighty The Barb in 1866, Phar Lap in 1929, Peter Pan in 1932, Tulloch in 1957, Dulcify in 1979, Durbridge in 1991, Naturalism in 1992, Mahogany in 1994, Octagonal in 1996, and Sky Heights in 1999.

Shootout, ridden by Stathi Katsidis, recorded the fast timing of 2:27:58, breaking the record previously held by Dulcify.

In 1961, jockey Mel Schumacher faced a six-year suspension after he was caught by the head-on camera for pulling at the leg of jockey Tommy Hill, who rode Summer Fair to victory, a decision upheld by the stewards in spite of Schumacher steering Blue Era past the winning post first.

In form horses from major races such as the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes, and Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and Randwick Guineas usually find a berth in the AJC Derby. Shamrocker, the 2011 AJC Derby champion was only the ninth filly to win the Derby after a long gap since Research last won it in 1989.

Incidentally, Shamrocker was the only filly in the field. She made her way to the AJC after running third in the Rosehill Guineas.

The AJC Derby also serves as a good form guide for punters while trainers prepare their best performers to increase their season’s prospects especially in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup that follows during the spring carnival in Melbourne. Second placed in the 2010 AJC Derby, Descardo went on to win the Caulfield Cup while Monaco Consul obliged punters with a third place in both events.

2012 AJC Australian Derby

Ethiopia was a maiden going into this Group 1 race but the three year old proved too strong for the classy field. Ethiopia was settled near the back of the field with jockey Rhys McLeod keen to keep his charge out of trouble. At the turn, favourite Laser Hawk looked to be in a good position to strike but his finishing run was not as sharp as expected and Polish Knight took the lead. But it was Ethiopia who would have the last say in the race, getting clear and storming down the outside to just edge out Polish Knight with Laser Hawk battling on for third.

2012 AJC Australian Derby result

1. Ethiopia
2. Polish Knight
3. Laser Hawk

Then came:

4. Strike The Stars
5. Rekindled Alliance
6. Silent Achiever
7. Satirical Boy
8. On Every Level
9. Sangster
10. Hoylonny
11. Darci Be Good
12. Sabrage