One of the most prestigious days of the Spring Racing carnival, Derby Day is of course known for its major races comprising of the $2 million Kennedy Cantala, the $1.5 million Coolmore Stud Stakes, the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes and feature race, and namesake, the $2 million AAMI Victoria Derby.
Kicking off Melbourne’s official Spring Racing Carnival, held at Flemington Racecourse, the Derby is a gruelling 2500m test for spring three year olds, and the prize money makes it one of the key events on the racing calendar. Many winners of the Derby have gone on to win Caulfield and the Melbourne Cup, making the Derby an important race for any young horse.
Australian and New Zealand-bred horses have shared the spoils of the Derby for years, as the southern hemisphere time means they reach the acceptable age just prior to the race, where international horses in the northern hemisphere are much younger at the time of racing.
Warning took out the race in 2019, and heading into the 2020 race, Cherry Tortoni is sitting at odds on favourite, followed by Flying Award.
The Derby Day represents so much more than just a horse race, it marks the start of the Spring Carnival, and off the track it showcases the best of Melbourne’s fashion on the field.