Race Overview
With history dating back to 1868, the Queensland Derby is one of the most historic Group 1 races in Australian racing.
The $600,000 race is for 3YOs at set weights and is run over 2400m at Eagle Farm in Brisbane as part of the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival.
The Derby is held on a big day of Queensland racing with the race held on the last weekend in May and on the same day as the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
The inaugural race was held at Gayndah Racecourse in 1868 and was won by Hermit.
It moved to Eagle Farm in 1871 where it has been held every year apart from 2015, 2017 and 2018 when it was held at Doomben.
The race distance in 2017 was slightly shorter than normal at 2200m.
A unique part of the race’s history is the Derby was held twice in 1870 and on both occasions it was won by Grafton.
One of the most successful horses to come out of the race didn’t even win it but would later become a household name.
The Danny O’Brien-trained Vow And Declare finished 2nd behind Mr Quickie in 2019 but would later go on to win the Melbourne Cup.
Mr Quickie wins the Queensland Derby with ease!
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 8, 2019
Top ride from John Allen.#7Racing pic.twitter.com/cf5GwZLJMz
A huge incentive for any winner or runner-up is Racing Queensland’s offer of $100,000 in cash or $250,000 QTISx vouchers to any horse that can finish first or second in the Derby or Queensland Oaks while also finishing in the top 3 in The Q22.
The most successful trainers have been Brian Mayfield-Smith and John Hawkes who have each trained 3 winners.
Mayfield-Smith saluted in 1986, 1998 and 1989 while Hawkes trained winners in 1994, 1998 and 2000.
The most successful jockey has been prolific-winning jockey Jim Cassidy who has piloted 4 winners while Larry Cassidy has ridden 3 winners.
The Derby’s honour roll is a who’s who of Australian racing champions with the likes of Tulloch (1957) and Kingston Town (1980) saluting in the Derby.
Other notable winners include Lough Neagh (1931), Double Century (1979), Rough Habit (1990), Freemason (2000), Dark Dream (2018) and Mr Quickie (2019).
The Chris Waller-trained Kukeracha with prolific-winning jockey James McDonald aboard, won the race in 2021.
New Zealand raider Pinarello won the race in 2022.
Form Indicators
*Favourites backers have fared well in the Derby with 17 favourites saluting since 1983.
*The most successful lead-up races have been The Grand Prix and the Rough Habit which have each delivered 8 winners since 2000. The latter race is named after former Queensland Derby champion Rough Habit who won the Derby in 1990.
*The South Australian Derby has produced 2 winners in recent years including Ruthven (2017) and Mr Quickie (2019).
*Coming off a last start win is imperative with 10 of the last 20 winners since 2000 coming off a win in their previous start.
*The most successful barriers since 1983 have been barriers 2, 3, 4, and 8 which have delivered 4 wins apiece.
*During the same period, the least successful barriers have been barriers 13 and 15 which have delivered just 1 win each.
*Don’t expect to see a new race record time with De Gaulle Lane’s current record time of 2:25.20 standing since 2001.
Previous Winners:
2022 – Pinarello
2021 – Kukeracha
2020 – race not held
2019 – Mr Quickie
2018 – Dark Dream
2017 – Ruthven
2016 – Eagle Way
2015 – Magicool
2014 – Sonntag
2013 – Hawkspur
2012 – Brambles
2011 – Shootoff
2010 – Dariana
What a ride, what a training performance!
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 28, 2022
Pinarello couldn't be caught in the Queensland Derby. pic.twitter.com/i4byTvvt9C