The Victoria Derby winners and placegetters honour roll tells the story of Australia’s premier staying test for three-year-olds, and Ladbrokes brings punters the complete archive of past champions, runners-up, third-place finishers, and the key trends that influence today’s Victoria Derby betting markets. From future Group 1 stars and Melbourne Cup contenders to dominant training performances and memorable upsets, Victoria Derby history offers valuable clues about the type of horse required to conquer the famous 2500m classic. Our comprehensive Victoria Derby results database helps punters analyse winning profiles, barrier trends, margins, breeding influences, and stable strike-rates that continue to shape the race each spring. Whether you’re researching past winners, identifying successful form lines, or looking for an edge in the latest Victoria Derby betting insights, Ladbrokes has the historical data and statistics behind one of Australian racing’s most prestigious Group 1 events.
The 2026 Victoria Derby winner will be determined when the $3 million feature runs at Flemington on Saturday October 31!
The Victoria Derby is the feature race on Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and it generates betting interest throughout the year as one of the key spring Group 1 races for three-year-olds.
Bet on the 2026 Victoria Derby Winner
Victoria Derby 2026 Results
| 2. Stormy Marco (14) 57kgx2954 | |||
| 14. Cold Shower (4) 57kg316 | |||
| 16. Quick Finish (9) 55kg5111 | |||
| 5. Murshidi (16) 57kgx7321 | |||
| 3. True Rebel (15) 57kg3121 | |||
| 8. Cignetti (10) 57kgx1233 | |||
| 1. Cormier (3) 57kgx0843 | |||
| 4. King Snitz (5) 57kg9311 | |||
| 9. Icy You (8) 57kg21242 | |||
| 6. Vallice (12) 57kg44522 | |||
| 13. Russian Rock (6) 57kg3×154 | |||
| 12. Written Empire (2) 57kg4136 | |||
| 7. Skua (11) 57kg31662 | |||
| 10. True Tone (13) 57kg44213 | |||
| 15. King Winston (7) 57kg0245 | |||
| 17. Meet The Prince (1) 57kgx0622 | |||
| 11. Hierarchy (4)SCRATCHED: | |||
| 18. Locked In (8)SCRATCHED: | |||
Past Victoria Derby winners include some of the biggest names in the business, as the 3YO runners look to make a name for themselves over the 2500m journey at Flemington. It’s a test of speed and stamina, and it’s also a good betting guide to races like the Melbourne Cup held back at the track just three days later on the first Tuesday of November.
First run in 1855, it’s one of the oldest Group 1 races on the Australian racing calendar, and it’s also one of the best betting races for punters to enjoy.
List of Victoria Derby Winners by Year
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Jockey | Time | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2025 | Observer | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 2:37.28 | $2.45 |
| 2024 | Goldrush Guru | Andrew Gluyas | Jamie Kah | 2:37.78 | $8 |
| 2023 | Riff Rocket | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 2:39.38 | $2.20 |
| 2022 | Manzoice | Chris Waller | Mick Dee | 2:40.86 | $21 |
| 2021 | Hitotsu | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 2:37.32 | $4.00 |
| 2020 | Johnny Get Angry | Denis Pagan | Lachlan King | 2:41.91 | $21 |
| 2019 | Warning | Anthony Freedman | Damien Oliver | 2:40.83 | $9.50 |
| 2018 | Extra Brut | Darren Weir | John Allen | 2:34.31 | $10 |
| 2017 | Ace High | David Payne | Tye Angland | 2:37.55 | $7 |
| 2016 | Prized Icon | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 2:36.16 | $17 |
| 2015 | Tarzino | Mick Price | Craig Newitt | 2:38.39 | $2.90 |
| 2014 | Preferment | Chris Waller | Damien Oliver | 2:37.81 | $8.50 |
| 2013 | Polanski | Robbie Laing | Hugh Bowman | 2:38.66 | $5.50 |
| 2012 | Fiveandahalfstar | Anthony Cummings | Damien Oliver | 2:35.92 | $41 |
| 2011 | Sangster | Trent Busuttin | Hugh Bowman | 2:40.33 | $13 |
| 2010 | Lion Tamer | Murray & Bjorn Baker | Hugh Bowman | 2:46.43 | $13 |
| 2009 | Monaco Consul | Michael Moroney | Corey Crown | 2:41.68 | $4.40 |
List Most Successful Victoria Derby Winning Jockeys
There have been some champion jockeys to win multiple Victoria Derby races, but no more than Bobby Lewis, who rode eight Victoria Derby winners.
Bobbie Lewis holds the Victoria Derby jockey record having won the race an awe inspiring eight times with 27 years spanning between his first and last victories which he achieved aboard Maltster (1900), Hautvilliers (1901), Sylvanite (1904), Alawa (1908), Wolawa (1912), Carlita (1914), Furious (1921), and Trivalve (1927).
More recently, Damien Oliver and Hugh Bowman have dominated Flemington with six and three wins respectively.
Below is a list of the jockeys with the most Victoria Derby winners.
- Bobby Lewis x8 (1900, 1901, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1914, 1921, 1927)
- Damien Oliver x6 (1992, 2001, 2003, 2012, 2014, 2019)
- Hugh Bowman x3 (2010, 2011, 2013)
- John Allen x2 (2018, 2021)
List of Most Successful Victoria Derby Winning Trainers
James Scobie is the most successful Victoria Derby trainer of all time having prepared an impressive eight winners. Scobie also trained four Melbourne Cup champions over his career. Scobie’s Victoria Derby wins came with: Maltster (1900), Hautvilliers (1901), F.J.A. (1903), Sylvanite (1904), Alawa (1908), Wolawa (1912), Trivalve (1927), and Hua (1937).
In the modern era the most successful Victoria Derby winning trainer since 1983 preparing three champions of the classic staying race is Lee Freedman with Benicio (2005), Portland Player (1996) and Mahogany (1993).
Bart Cummings was known as the ‘Cups King’ having prepared a record 12 Melbourne Cup winners, seven Caulfield Cup winners, and five Cox Plate winners. He is also the second most successful Victoria Derby trainer of all time with seven victories.
- James Scobie x8 (1900, 1901, 1903, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1927, 1937)
- T.J. Smith x5 (1957, 1959, 1970, 1981, 1984)
- Bart Cummings x5 (1972, 1973, 1977, 1983, 1987)
- Colin Hayes x4 (1974, 1976, 1978, 1988)
Chris Waller has been the most successful recent trainer, scoring wins with Manzoice and Riff Rocket in 2022 and 2023. We recommend looking for his runners for the upcoming Victoria Derby.
Famous Victoria Derby Winners
The Victoria Derby is an incredible staying race. It not only secures a stud future for colts, but it also provides an insight into what runners could mature into cups horses later in life. The Derby is an excellent Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup form guide, and the winner has often backed up three days later in the Melbourne Cup field.
Of all the past winners, we have selected three famous Victoria Derby winners, including Efficient’s 2006 win in front of a record crowd.
Efficient – 2006
A record Victoria Derby Day crowd embarked at Flemington, with 129,089 in attendance. Flemington was packed, and they witnessed a tremendous win from Efficient. The well-bred son of Zabeel was bred to be a Victoria Derby winner, and after settling back in the field, he made a searching run to score by 2.5 lengths. It was an expected win as the $2.25 favourite, so the roaring crowd was elated with the result, leaving bookmakers licking their wounds.
Tulloch – 1957
Tulloch’s win in the 1957 Victoria Derby goes down in history as one of the best of all time. The war horse won just about every major race on the Australian racing calendar, including the Cox Plate, Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Caulfield Cup. His Victoria Derby win came by six lengths, and he smashed Phar Lap’s race record time by 2.1 seconds. It proved to the world that he’s the best, and he followed it up with a string of victories. Tulloch remains one of the greatest thoroughbreds in history, and his Derby win is a must-watch.
Riff Rocket – 2023
We’ll go with something more recent. Riff Rocket is the classic story of what could have been. He won the 2023 Victoria Derby as the $2.20 favourite, and he had a great running action. He was a big bloke in the Waller stable, and unfortunately, his life would come to an end just a year later after complications from colic. However, his Victoria Derby win showcased his fighting abilities. The favourite took the lead with 100m to go before holding off a big finish from Apulia. The win gave owner Debbie Kepitis, who also owned Winx, her first Derby victory.
Victoria Derby Information
The Victoria Derby is worth $3 million, so it’s not as rich as other Group 1 and slot races such as the $20 million The Everest in Sydney during October. However, it’s an important race for the breeding future of any colt who wins. Therefore, the prize money plays second fiddle to the long-term picture.
Run over 2500m, it’s a true test of speed and stamina, and it catches out many horses. Most, if not all, of the 3YO runners haven’t raced past 2400m, so the extra distance makes for an exciting finish and a sense of the unknown.
It’s the feature race on Derby Day, the first day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. It’s considered the best betting day of the year, as punters get value odds from bookmakers throughout the day, and especially in the Derby.
Betting on the Victoria Derby
As with any staying race, there are always upsets. Lion Tamer, Sangster, Prized Icon, Johnny Get Angry, and Manzoice paid double-figure odds to win the Victoria Derby. It’s a good race to find value, but there have been some short-priced winners.
Riff Rocket won at $2.20 in 2023, and Hitotsu franked his form when winning at $4. The 2013-2015 winners Polanski, Preferment, and Tarzino were all well-fancied chances, with Tarzino running at $2.90 with the books.
The 2025 Victoria Derby winner Observer ($2.45) was the last favourite to win.