Australian Derby: Date, how to watch, past winners and more

The Australian Derby is a Group 1 Thoroughbred horse race that takes place at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, every April.

Raced over 2400m under set weight conditions, the Australian Derby is for horses aged three years old.

With a total prize pot of $2million, the Australian Derby is one of the top-ranked events for three-year-olds and therefore attracts the best from Australia and New Zealand.

Here is everything you need to know about the Australian Derby.

Australian Derby date

The Australian Derby is one of the biggest races at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and is raced on day one of the ATC Championships Carnival.

The 2025 edition of the race will be held on Saturday 5th April.

Australian Derby time

The Australian Derby is part of a bumper 10-race card that also includes the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.

The start time for the Australian Derby has yet to be announced but in 2024 it was Race 9 on a bumper card, the race after the Doncaster Mile.

In 2025 it is likely to remain the same.

Australian Derby venue

The Australian Derby is held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney, New South Wales.

Australian Derby how to watch

The Australian Derby will be shown free-to-air on Channel 7 and also via the 7plus App.

Australian Derby prize money

The total amount of prize money for the Australian Derby stands at a cool $2million.

The winner will take home $1,160,000, second $380,000 and third place $195,000.

A top 10 finish at the Australian Derby will earn you prize money, with ninth and 10th place, both earning $15,000.

Australian Derby history

The Australian Derby was first raced in 1861 and was then known as the AJC Randwick Derby Stakes.

Kyogle was the first-ever winner of the Australian Derby, which was a Principal Race at the time.

The Australian Derby earned Group 1 status in 1980.

It was officially named the Australian Derby in 1994 and has remained that way ever since.

Australian Derby previous winners

Riff Rocket was the winner of the 2024 Australian Derby for trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald.

There have been some famous winners of the Australian Derby, including the legendary Phar Lap and Kingston Town.

Australian Derby odds

Aeliana is currently leading the betting in the 2025 edition of the Australian Derby and can be backed at 3.50.

Willydoit is available at 4.00, while Shanwah is 6.00.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.