The Victoria Derby has been in existence longer than the Kentucky Derby and has as much rich history as an event like The Royal Ascot. Due to their large numbers of punters at these events, it pays to know the history and basic facts of the Victoria Derby.
The history of Australian horse racing
Anyone that loves Thoroughbred horse racing enough to read the history understands that there were three Middle Eastern horses that were bred with English ones in the 1600s in order to create the Thoroughbred breed. When Australia was claimed by the British; horses arrived soon after in 1788. The first Thoroughbred was Old Hector, and he was a leading Australian sire from 1803 to 1820. With the creation of Australia’s breed studbook in 1825, the idea of Thoroughbred racing (to see which horse was the best of the breed) started soon after.
Melbourne Autumn Racing Carnival
While Americans are familiar with the idea of several horses preceding the Kentucky Derby (like the Oaks), they are not part of a larger celebration or races booked over multiple days. However, England, Dubai, and Australia are accustomed to stacking several significant races over a weekend. For this reason, if you are looking for the Victoria Derby, you can usually find it along with information about the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The Victoria Derby is the kickoff to the Carnival.
Victoria Derby Day includes other Graded Stakes races on the same day. These nine other races are worth over $4.6 million (Australian).
· Mackinnon Stakes (G1)
· Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1)
· Myer Classic (G1)
· Wakeful Stakes (G2)
· Salinger Stakes (G2)
· Carbine Club Stakes (G3)
· The Lexus Stakes (G3)
· Chatham Stakes (G3)
Victoria Derby’s high fashion focus
At some derby events, like the Florida Derby, there is no special attire required. In addition, race goers may dress up, but there are no restrictions at the gate if you dress down. On the other hand, no one needs to tell Australians to dress up for the Victoria Derby. Like the Royal Ascot and the Dubai World Cup, the Victoria Derby has contests for the best dressed called the Fashion Stakes.
In particular, men are the focus of the Derby Day Fashion Stakes at the Victoria Derby. The men compete and get money and prizes for their efforts in ‘Fashions on the Field.’ Judging this important celebration are celebrities like Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton, and Andrea Bowen. In general, non-competitors in the Fashion Stakes wear black and white formal wear to the Victoria Derby.
Odd Victoria Derby vocabulary
If you are listening in to the Victoria Derby from another country, you may have a difficult time understanding some of the words that the commentators use. This is due to Australia’s unique take on horse racing related words. While the list below is not specific to the Victoria Derby, you are more likely to hear these terms used to describe some of the particulars about the race.
· Acceptor: This is a horse that will run in a race, and this is confirmed by the trainer or owner.
· Best Bet: In the U.K., this is known as the nap and the U.S. calls it picks or tips.
· Birdcage: Before the race, the horses are presented in this area of the track for the post-parade.
· Blow: During betting, a horses odds can increase. When this happens, the Victoria Derby may refer to the horse as a ‘blow.’
· Checked: If a horse is running a race and it becomes blocked, slows down, changes stride, or changes direction, it is in a state of being ‘checked.’
Facts about the Victoria Derby
· Over 100,000 each year
· $1.5 million (Australian) in purse winnings
· Flemington Racecourse hosts the Victoria Derby
· Starting in 1855, this has been a Group 1 race
· The Victoria Derby is 2,500 meters
· The first winners of the Victoria Derby were coincidentally all female: Rose of May (1855), Flying Doe (1856), and Tricolor (1857)
· Last filly to win the Victoria Derby was Frances Tressady (1923)
· No geldings allowed from 1931 to 1956
· In 1867 and 1868, Fireworks won the race twice
· Best time for the Victoria Derby was by Star of the Realm (1991) at 2:33.6
· The race has 16 contenders and 4 in reserve
· The field for the Victoria Derby has been decided by balloting since 1988
· Horses in the Victoria Derby may only be 3-years old
· Winning the Victoria Derby means a chance of being in the Melbourne Cup three days later.
· Contenders are announced in September and are confirmed the Wednesday before the Victoria Derby (race is run Saturday in late October or early November).
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