Australian Derby - History

History

Inaugurated in 1861 as the AJC Randwick Derby Stakes, the first race was won by Kyogle, a grandson of the Touchstone who was a four-time Champion sire in Great Britain & Ireland. In 1865 the name of the race was changed to the AJC Australia Derby Stakes then from 1873 through 1993 it was called the AJC Derby. Although the race officially became the AJC Australian Derby in 1994, it is still commonly referred to as the AJC Derby.

The official records show that Prince Humphrey won the 1928 Derby, but he wasn’t in the race. It was a horse called Cragsman, by the same sire but with a different dam. This substitution came to light when Dick Tate of Toowoomba saw a picture of the Derby winner and was aware that Prince Humphrey had different markings, and had photographs to prove it.

From 1932 to 1956, geldings were banned from competing in the Derby.

Originally run at a distance of 1½ miles, in 1972 the race was changed to 2,400 metres (11.93 furlongs) to conform to the metric system. In 1978 there was no race held and under a reorganisation, it was changed from a spring racing event to be run in the autumn beginning in 1979.

• Front cover of 1948 AJC Australian Derby racebook

• 1948 AJC Australian Derby racebook recording the winner, Carbon Copy

• 1948 AJC Australian Derby racebook

• 1948 AJC Australian Derby racebook