Victoria Derby Tips, Betting, Odds, Horses & More 2025

The Victorian Derby is a cornerstone event in the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival, representing a race of distinction amidst a collection of exhilarating equestrian contests. Each year, we see many Australian and international horses fighting out for Group 1 glory.

Traditionally taking place at the iconic Flemington Racecourse (one of the top tracks in the country), this race has evolved into a spectacle that captivates racing aficionados, punters, and significant figures in the racing domain. Such is its history and prestige that the day of the race is known as ‘Derby Day’. 

The allure of the Victorian Derby is not just rooted in its esteemed Group 1 classification but also its rich history and the legacy it has built-in attracting the cream of the crop of three-year-old thoroughbreds from across the nation. It is one of the major Group One races during Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival.

Our Victoria Derby page provides an in-depth look at this great race and we will show you how and where to bet on the race. We will also get into the race and track history, as well as previous winners of the Victoria Derby.

With all this information at your fingertips, be sure to visit OnlyRacing.com.au closer to the meet to see our latest horse racing tips and analysis of the runners in the Victoria Derby. These tips will include our best bet, next best as well as our best roughie from one of the experts here at OnlyRacing.

We love providing free horse racing tips to our loyal readers here at OnlyRacing and this includes Flemington tips for all the major meetings at the track! When a horse that one of our experts has tipped gets up, it’s major party time, not for just our expert but for anyone who bet on the tip as well.

At this stage, our Victoria Derby tips aren’t available just yet. We are waiting closer to race day, when the final field is confirmed, to go through every runner and judge their chances of a quality performance. We provide our best bet, next best and best roughie.

While you wait, you can check out the tips we put together for the Victoria Derby in 2024 here:

Victoria Derby Best Bet - El Castello

The 3YO is having the kind of season that many can only dream about. El Castello has seen a rapid rise in the ranks and has won four races on the trot, from a maiden to a Group 1 victory in the Spring Champion Stakes last time out. It wasn’t too long ago, in 2017 when Ace High compared the Spring Champion Stakes/ Victoria Derby double.

It is still a quality field and there is a little question mark around the quick back-up and travelling interstate, but that winning form is just too good for me to ignore. It seems as though the market can’t ignore him as well with the colt currently the $3.70 favourite at PlayUp.

Victoria Derby Next Best - King Of Thunder

The improvement is strong in this gelding and I’ve got the 3YO, King OF Thunder as my next best. King Of Thunder was unlucky first-up at Kembla Grange when finishing middle of the pack. The slow tempo didn’t really suit him last time out but he did show off his turn of foot to finish just 0.3L off the leader, in third place.

Will be all the fitter for those two runs under his belt and he has had success third-up previously, winning by 5.5L. This is a tougher task but he does get top jockey James McDonald on board, who is having a stellar run at the moment. Gets the inside barrier as well, so there’s a lot to like.

Victoria Derby Best Roughie - Politely Dun

Another one coming through The Vase at Moonee Valley a week ago and Politely Dun ended up finishing fourth in that one. I think the gelding presents decent enough value and he is currently going around with odds of $13, thanks to PlayUp. In his run before The Vase, he was completely dominant in his maiden win.

I think he looks like the perfect horse for the 2,500m distance that’s on offer for the Victoria Derby here. Damian Lane books the ride and will have a lot of work to do as I expect Politely Dun will settle near the rear of the field. As long as he can stay out of trouble and the right breaks open up at the right time, he’ll be in this up to his eyeballs.

The Victorian Derby is gearing up to be a standout Group 1 race of the Melbourne Cup Carnival as it is every year. Navigating the vast array of Australian bookmakers can seem daunting, but our goal is to simplify this task by highlighting some trustworthy choices. 

Before exploring the recommended options, we advise you to get acquainted with the Victoria Derby's line-up and determine your betting preferences. Different betting apps will all have markets on this race, as well as all the other key races on the day.

A paramount consideration when choosing one of the many horse racing betting sites is the odds they present. While it might demand a bit of legwork, browsing through multiple bookmakers and contrasting the odds for your selected market will give you an edge in recognising which operator is most favourable. 

Opting for the bookmaker boasting the best odds amplifies your potential earnings. For an extensive overview of Australian bookmakers catering to Group 1 thoroughbred horse racing, you're welcome to check our best betting sites page. 

The familiarity factor is also of note. A significant portion of Australian bettors gravitate towards bookmakers they've previously engaged with, be it because of a user-friendly website or a preferred racing betting app. 

It's perfectly valid to remain with a bookmaker that aligns with your comfort zone. To aid you further, our bookmaker reviews page details the credibility of each operator, enabling a well-informed selection. 

Furthermore, promotions can be influential in determining your choice. Our betting sites bonuses and promotions page showcases a myriad of bonuses and deals provided by Australian bookmakers. It's worthwhile to investigate if there are any specific incentives for the Victoria Derby. 

In the end, the route to picking the best bookmaker for the Victoria Derby isn't set in stone. The trio of suggestions outlined are practical pointers. Above all, remember to partner with one of the most reputable Australian betting sites going around and ensure you've supplied any essential verification details before committing to any bets.

Some of the bookies we like at the moment include PlayUpand BetRight. All three bookies offer something a little bit different to punters and are some of the best betting apps going around. They offer great betting promotions as well, so that’s something to consider if you’re in the market for a new bookmaker!

If you would like more suggestions on who to bet with come this Victoria Derby Day, check out our “Betting Sites” section above! Many great Australian bookies are worth checking out.

Victoria Derby Bet Types

Like with any horse race, there are many different bet types available to punters for the Victoria Derby. If you’re new to the world of horse racing betting or need a freshen-up, check out the table below as we go through all the common bet types available!

The field for the 2025 Victoria Derby is yet to be confirmed. Still, we can expect to see a stellar field filled with quality runners line up for their shot at Group 1 glory. To understand which runners might have a better shot at claiming victory, check out the odds, which are available in our “Odds” section below.

When it comes to the Victoria Derby, here are some of the key dates you should be aware of:

It’s important to understand that as the Victoria Derby field isn’t available, the odds for potential runners will change dramatically. Many factors influence the odds and when we get closer to race day, we will see which runners are more likely to be targeting this race.

We will have to wait and see which runners will line up for the 2025 race, but you can check out the 2024 Victoria Derby field here:

For the Victoria Derby in 2024, we saw a field of 18 runners confirmed, with two of those runners listed as emergencies, which means a maximum of 16 runners will line up for the race. In the end, there weren’t any pre-race scratchings, so both emergencies didn’t get their shot in the race.

Scratchings can be a fairly common occurrence, even in key races like the all-important Victoria Derby. Scratchings can occur at any time in the lead-up to the race and there are many different reasons a runner could be scratched, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for any scratchings.

Another key factor to look at when studying the field is the barrier each runner will jump from. The barrier can play a major role in race tactics used. Some barriers in the Victoria Derby have seen more success over the years when compared to others.

So, which barriers perform the best in the Victoria Derby? Well, we have all the information you need. It is important to remember that the barrier draw is just one of the many aspects to look into, but it is still an important aspect that you should consider.

Check out the table as we take a look at the most and least successful barriers of the Victoria Derby, since 1983:

Looking at the above table, the best barrier is on the inside, with barrier 1. The inside barriers seem to perform better, with barriers 1 to 5 seeing 13 wins over the years. Although, barrier 3 isn’t very successful, not registering a single win!

Another barrier that connections of runners would want to avoid is the widest barrier of all, barrier 16. There are a handful of other barriers that have only seen one win as well, so it could prove costly if a runner draws one of those barriers.

Placing a winning bet on the Victoria Derby doesn’t have to be as difficult as you think! The important thing is to check out the Victoria Derby form guide to find some form indicators that will point you in the right direction.

The team at OnlyRacing have gone through the pages and pages of data to find some key indicators that you should know about before placing any bets. There’s a lot to consider, but the patterns that stand out are clear. So, let’s get cracking!

The 2,500m race distance is a beast, so it is important to find horses that are up for the challenge. Runners need to have a lot of solid previous form and come into the Victoria Derby with a lot of running under their belt. 

In terms of lead-up races, it pays to check out the performances of runners in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes, the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase and the Group 3 Norman Robinson. If a runner has performed well in one of those races, it’s a good starting point.

Favourites have a decent record, but more recently it’s been a bit of a struggle for the favourite. Since 2007, only four favourites have won and this is including in 2023 when Riff Rocket, the $4.00 favourite won.

You should also look at the experience of each runner. How many races have they run in before contesting the Victoria Derby? Horses that are in the sixth or seventh race start seem to perform well, as they have enough experience, but are still fresh enough to give the 2,500m a red-hot crack!

We see top horses competing year in and year out in the Victoria Derby. With a race that has such a rich history, there have been many notable horses competing and winning the Victoria Derby. We’ve hand-picked a few of the best Victoria Derby horses to go through them in more detail.

While we’ve only spoken about a handful of Victoria Derby horses, it’s important to understand that there are many, many more! Check out some of the best Victoria Derby horses below:

Poseidon - 1906

Poseidon won three of the biggest races during the Spring Racing Carnival, the Victoria Derby (in 1906), the Caulfield Cup (in 1906 and 1907) along with the biggest race of them all, the Melbourne Cup (in 1906). He was also inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2004. Need we say more!

Phar Lap - 1929

Phar Lap is famous for many things, so it might surprise you to learn he also won the Victoria Derby in 1929. The great gelding even had a movie made about him. Talk about a superstar! In the end, his overall racing record was 51:37-3-2 and he won the Melbourne Cup along with two Cox Plates.

Tulloch - 1957

It’s no doubt that Tulloch was one of Australia’s greatest stayers and he was inducted into both the Australian and New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame. Tulloch also performed well throughout the Autumn Racing Carnival, winning multiple Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Verry Elleegant Stakes.

Red Anchor - 1984

The year of 1984 was a big year for Red Anchor! He went on to not only win the Victoria Derby but also the Cox Plate along with the Caulfield Guineas. In the end, he had a racing record of 14:9-4-1 and won almost $800,000, which is a lot for the 1980’s! A year later, in 1985, he was named the Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year.

Nothin' Leica Dane - 1995

Nothin’ Leica Dane was so close to completing the Victoria Derby - Melbourne Cup double in 1995. After winning the Victoria Derby he went on to finish second in the Melbourne Cup! He also won the Spring Champion Stakes in 1995 as well. While his record stood at 26:6-5-3, he did amass almost $2 million in prize money throughout his career.

Efficient - 2006

Efficient is one of the few horses to complete the Victoria Derby - Melbourne Cup double, but he didn’t do it in the same year. Efficient won the Victoria Derby in 2006, then went on to win the Melbourne Cup the following year, in 2007. He also won the Turnbull Stakes a couple of years later in 2009. Those major wins helped Efficient retire with almost $2 million in prize money!

Ace High - 2017

Ace High won two Group 1s in his career and they came in back-to-back victories. He won the Spring Champion Stakes before stepping up and winning the Victoria Derby in 2017. Ace High only won five races in his career, but the high prize money attached to them meant he gained a total of $2,269,325 in prize money.

You could think of the Victoria Derby odds as the glue that holds everything together. Finding a hot tip for the Victoria Derby is one thing, but if the odds for that runner are so low, you’re probably better off finding value with another runner in the field!

You’ll also find that many different horse racing betting apps offer slightly different odds for the same runner, so it certainly helps to shop around. Bookmakers will open betting markets for the Victoria Derby long before the race, so you can bet whenever you choose.

At this stage, our favourite bookie, PlayUp, hasn’t released odds. It is important to remember that when the odds are released, there will be fluctuations. Many differing factors can cause fluctuations, so if you see a price you like, we recommend jumping on it while you can.

Betting on the Victoria Derby when the market is “Before Noms” is a good place to start because this means if your runner isn’t in the final field, you’ll still get your stake back. You won’t be so lucky if you are betting when the market is “All-In”

We will bring you the 2025 Victoria Derby odds when we can. In the meantime, check out the odds for each runner for the race in 2024:

*Odds correct as of 31/10/2024.

The Victoria Derby, one of Australia's most iconic races, is held annually during the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne. Some of the best horses step out to claim Victoria Derby glory. The Victoria Derby has a long history which is great for us because it means there are heaps of stats and interesting facts about the race! 

Check out some of those stats and interesting facts below:

• The Victoria Derby is held on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and also shares the same day as a new race introduced by Racing NSW, The Golden Eagle.
• The first three editions of the Victoria Derby were won by fillies.
• Interestingly, between the years of 1931 and 1956, geldings were not allowed to compete in the Victoria Derby.
• Clare Lindop was the first female jockey to win the Victoria Derby in 2008.
• Gai Waterhouse was the first female trainer to win the Victoria Derby in 1995.
• Star Of The Realm, who won the Victoria Derby in 1991 still holds the race record at 2:33.60 (when raced at its current length of 2,500m).
• Bobbie Lewis is the most successful jockey in the Victoria Derby, with eight wins.
• James Scobie is the most successful trainer in the Victoria Derby, also with eight wins.
• In 2006, Flemington Racecourse saw the biggest attendance for the Victoria Derby, with 129,089 fans watching the race live.

How’s that for some stats and facts? We love seeing just how unique the Victoria Derby is and how special the race is to many Australians. If you are looking for more information to help you make betting decisions, you are better off checking out our “Form Guide” section above!

The Victoria Derby, celebrated as Australia’s epitome of thoroughbred racing, unwraps the highly anticipated Melbourne Cup Carnival at the iconic Flemington Racecourse. Ingrained in Australia's sporting culture since 1855, this race pays homage to the age-old English Derby, evoking a tradition deeply rooted in horse racing heritage. The Victoria Derby takes place during one of the biggest horse racing carnivals of the year, the Spring Racing Carnival.

Revered as a Group 1 race under set weight conditions for three-year-olds, the Derby unfolds over 2,500 metres, a modification from its original distance of a mile and a half (2,400 metres) post Australia’s shift to the metric system in 1973. This alteration, initially aimed at aligning with the Epsom Derby distance, was further tweaked to ensure fairness and safety during the race. 

The Derby's tapestry is embellished with equine legends whose victories echo through Australia’s racing annals. Notable winners like Frances Tressady, the last filly to clinch victory in 1923 and Rebel Raider, the underdog who astonished with a 100/1 win in 2008, are etched in the Derby’s rich narrative. 

The Victoria Derby transcends mere racing. It's a spectacle where fashion and tradition meld, evoking a classic elegance that resonates with attendees and the nation at large. It's not just a race; it's an experience, a temporal journey that celebrates Australia’s enduring love for horse racing, with the grandeur of Derby Day elevating it to a festivity eagerly awaited each Spring. 

Moreover, the strategic positioning of the Derby in the racing calendar often sparks discussions. Its proximity to the season start poses a challenge, especially for the younger horses. This is something that the connections of each potential runner in the Victoria Derby must think of.

However, this also carves a competitive landscape that tests the mettle of promising champions, with those seasoned from Sydney races often showcasing superior performance. This nuance in preparation and strategy lends the Victoria Derby a distinctive character, making it a riveting precursor to the Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

The Victoria Derby is not just a race; it's a cherished tradition, a spectacle of elite horse racing that heralds the commencement of the jubilant Melbourne Cup Carnival. Through every gallop and thunderous applause, the Derby epitomises Australia’s undying penchant for horse racing, making it a timeless spectacle eagerly awaited by enthusiasts and casual observers alike. 

The Victoria Derby is only one of many races that we Aussies get to sink our teeth into each and every year. So, if you’re interested in learning more about the other races on the Australian calendar, check out our Group One races list.

Want to know all the juicy deets about the latest Victoria Derby results? Well, we’ve got them! This section will provide you with a table of the finishing order of the Victoria Derby field as well as a full race replay video, so you can easily go ahead and relive all the action.

The 2024 Victoria Derby was won by Goldrush Guru, who jumped from barrier 13. Before the Victoria Derby, the colt won the Listed Hill Smith Stakes. Goldrush Guru beat out Scary, who finished in second place by 1.5L.

Filling in the final minor placing was China Sea, who was a total of 1.96L off the pace. In the end, the 2024 Victoria Derby was run in a time of 2:37.78 and we saw a total of 44.28L that split the first and last runners across the finishing post.

Check out the full Victoria Derby results table below:

As promised, check out the full race replay of the Victoria Derby here:

Let’s take a step back in time as we review all the recent winners of the great race we call the Victoria Derby. All the winners from 2010 until now can be found in the table here:

There is cash to splash for the Victoria Derby! The race is one of the biggest in Australia and it didn’t get that big without offering some serious prize money. While the $2 million in prize money seems small compared to The Golden Eagle’s offering of $10 million, a race that takes place on the same day, $2 million is still $2 million!

Let’s explore the breakdown of prize money for those runners lucky enough to finish up high enough in the Victoria Derby:

This is the last section we’ve put together on the Victoria Derby. If you’ve read through all the above information and you still have some burning questions, hopefully, we’ve answered them below!