The Australian Derby kicks off a week of racing in April at Sydney’s Randwick Racecourse.

Derby Day is for three-year-old thoroughbreds at set weights and is contested over 2400 meters. It carries a $2,000,000 purse.

Some of the greats of the Australian turf who have won the Derby Day trophy include Phar Lap, 1929; Tulloch, 1957; and Kingston Town, 1980.

Headturner, ridden by Darren Beadman and trained by John Hawkes, won the 2006 Derby in a time of 2.29.92. De Beers and Testafiable were second and third, respectively.

Other recent winners include: Eremein, 2005; Starcraft, 2004; Clangalang, 2003; Don Eduardo, 2002; Universal Prince, 2001; Fairway, 2000; Sky Heights, 1999; Gold Guru, 1998 and Ebony Grosve, 1997.

Jockey Tom Hales has the most victories. He rode six winners between 1975 and 1887. The fastest Derby over 2400 meters was run by Octagonal in 2.28.4 in 1996. The slowest was by Bonecrusher in 1986 in 2.35.6.

The Derby has changed its name many times. Name changes include AJC Randwick Derby Stakes, 1861 to 1864; AJC Australia Derby Stakes, 1865 to 1872; AJC Derby, 1873 to 1993; and AJC Australian Derby from 1994 to present.

Past winners of the Australian Derby: