Flemington five - Best Penfolds Victoria Derby
The Penfolds Victoria Derby, a cornerstone of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, is more than just a horse race; it’s a spectacle steeped in tradition and prestige.
Since 1855, this 2500m test has identified the best three-year-old stayers in Australia, etching their names into racing legend. Winning the Derby is a mark of true equine excellence. Held on the opening day of the Carnival, the atmosphere is electric, with anticipation building as the finest thoroughbreds thunder down the Flemington straight, vying for a coveted place in racing folklore. Although it’s almost impossible to narrow them down, here are the five best Victoria Derbies.
- Efficient (2006) – Efficient’s Derby was followed by the Melbourne Cup the year after (2007), making him the first horse since Phar Lap to win the Cup the year after winning the Derby.
- Rebel Raider (2008) – Rebel Raider and Clare Lindop made history with a stunning victory in 2008.
- Tarzino (2015) – Tarzino displayed grit and determination to win a thrilling edition of the race.
- Elvstroem (2003) – Elvstroem’s dominant performance in the 2003 Derby cemented his status as a champion stayer.
- Hitotsu (2021) – Hitotsu claimed victory after being up the back of the field before a barnstorming run home.
Every fan of racing – indeed, most Australians – has their own favourite Melbourne Cup win, but certain finishes are just unforgettable. The Melbourne Cup is the race that every owner, trainer, and jockey dreams of winning, and some victories stand out more than others.
From Kiwi’s comeback in 1983 to thrilling photo finishes for Might And Power and Viewed that kept fans on the edge of their seats, each victory highlights the sheer tenacity of the horse and its rider.
Each of these races captures the magic and unpredictability of the Melbourne Cup, making them unforgettable chapters in racing history.
Best Empire Rose Stakes
The TAB Empire Rose Stakes, a Group 1 race for fillies and mares, is named after the mighty New Zealand mare Empire Rose. The daughter of Sir Tristram, Empire Rose had an illustrious career with a Melbourne Cup record few can rival. She contested four Melbourne Cups, placing fifth in 1986, second in 1987, triumphing in 1988, and finishing fifteenth in 1989 as the favourite. Her notable achievements also include victories in the 1987 New Zealand Cup and the 1988 Mackinnon Stakes.
Trained by Laurie Laxon in Cambridge, New Zealand, Empire Rose was often ridden in trackwork by Laxon’s then-wife, Sheila. Sheila made history in her own right when, in 2001, she trained the mare Ethereal to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double, becoming the first woman to officially win the Melbourne Cup as a trainer.
The Empire Rose Stakes has become a highlight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. We relive the best wins here, beginning with last year’s popular winner.
Best Coolmore Stud Stakes
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes is a thrilling 1200m sprint, showcasing the country’s top three-year-old sprinters. Run under set weight conditions, it is one of the premier races on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day. Originally known as the Ascot Vale Stakes, it dates back to 1863, when it was first contested by two-year-olds. The race was later moved to September for three-year-olds, and in 2006, it found its current spot on Derby Day. Since its elevation to Group 1 in 2006, the Coolmore Stud Stakes has produced some of Australia’s finest sprinters and continues to shape the careers of future stallions.
Best TAB Turnbull Stakes
The Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes has long been a key race in determining the form of contenders heading into the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Named after Richard Turnbull, a prominent Victorian pastoralist and former VRC Chairman, the race has evolved since its first running in 1865. Originally contested over various distances, including up to two miles, it settled at 2000m in 1971 and was elevated to Group 1 status in 2006.
As a Set Weights and Penalties race, the Turnbull Stakes provides a perfect platform for open-class horses looking to assert their spring credentials. Many horses who have shone in this race have gone on to win major Cups, including Verry Elleegant, who took out the Turnbull in 2020 before her Caulfield Cup triumph, and Incentivise, who won the Turnbull during his incredible 2021 campaign.
From Happy Trails to Winx, we count down our top 5 Turnbull Stakes finishes here.
Lucky longshots
Flemington has not only been the setting for the racing’s biggest champions, but also for some of the most thrilling surprises, where longshots defy expectations and carve their names into history.
One of the most famous upsets at Flemington came in the 1988 Australian Cup when Dandy Andy, at 125-1, stunned a field that included the legendary Vo Rogue, claiming victory in a race few saw coming. Similarly, Rebel Raider shocked punters in the 2008 Victoria Derby, overcoming odds of $101 to secure an unforgettable win for Clare Lindop. Prince Of Penzance’s fairytale Melbourne Cup victory in 2015, at $101, not only defied the betting markets but made history with Michelle Payne becoming the first female jockey to win the Cup. Lasqueti Spirit followed suit in 2016, blazing to victory in the VRC Oaks at $101, while Lunar Fox achieved the biggest longshot win in the 2021 Australian Guineas, taking out the race at an extraordinary $301.
These triumphs highlight the unpredictable beauty of racing and prove that anything is possible at Flemington.
Best owners reactions
Winning at Flemington is an exhilarating thrill, especially in a major race, where the experience is a rollercoaster of emotions. The anticipation before the race, the thrill of the action, and the collective joy when a horse crosses the finish line first create an electric atmosphere. Hugs, cheers, and tears flow freely as the reality of victory sinks in.
The 2019 Lexus Melbourne Cup exemplified this, with the connections of Vow And Declare celebrating in unbridled joy. Similarly, Ann McGrath's reaction to Tears I Cry’s 2007 Stakes win was a moving display of emotion and disbelief.
Whether with a large syndicate or a small group of friends, the pure thrill of winning at Flemington creates memories that last a lifetime. These moments are more than just victories – they are extraordinary experiences.
Best Crown Makybe Diva Stakes
Formerly known as the Craiglee Stakes, the race is a significant early season test, with winners often using it as a stepping stone to the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, or Melbourne Cup. Iconic mares like Light Fingers and Rose of Kingston both secured wins in the race, going on to Melbourne Cup success and further cementing their place in racing folklore.
The race was elevated to Group 1 status in 2013 and has since seen memorable performances from stars like Northerly and Weekend Hussler. More recent winners like Incentivise and Mr Brightside have continued its tradition of excellence. Notably, Jamie Kah’s ride aboard Gatting in 2019 delivered one of the race’s greatest upsets at $101 odds.
From Northerly to I’m Thunderstruck, we count down our top 5 Makybe Stakes finishes here.
Best Australian Cups
The Australian Cup boasts a rich history dating back to 1863, just eighteen months after the inaugural Melbourne Cup. From its inception, the race has attracted elite competitors, with early winners including Dulcify, Barwon, Tim Whiffler, Nimblefoot, Warrior, and Malua. The race has always provided thrilling contests, making it a highlight of the autumn racing calendar. We recall five of the best editions of the race here.
Best jockey rides
The best jockey rides embody skill, determination and courage. Whether showcasing strategic prowess, atleticism, or quick decision-making , these five rides epitomise excellence on the track.
Best Newmarket Handicap
Since 1874, the Newmarket Handicap down Flemington's iconic Straight Six course has been the ultimate sprinting showdown. A race rich in history, it never fails to excite. From Black Caviar’s legendary four-length victory for her perfect 10 in 2011, to the nail-biting blanket finish that crowned Rubitano the victor in 2002, here are five moments that set hearts racing.
Come from behind wins
Racing is full of thrills, but there is nothing like witnessing a horse appear from the back of the field to snatch victory in the final moments. We count down our Flemington Five come-from-behind wins.
Best Australian Guineas
A top-tier race for three-year-olds, the Australian Guineas is a key event for young horses. Beginning in 1986 as a Group 3 race, it quickly rose to Group 1 status in 1987 and has stayed there since. While it briefly changed to 2000m between 1998 and 2000, it has mainly been run over the mile distance. The million-dollar race has provided many thrilling finishes and memorable victories throughout its history, and we look at five of the best here.
Best photo finishes
With victory or defeat hanging on mere fractions of a second or just one pixel, photo finishes embody the drama of the track. They capture the intense competition, showcasing the determined efforts of both horse and rider in their pursuit of success. Here are five of the most nail-biting photo finishes in Flemington’s history.
Best ever race calls
From the iconic lines to the heart-pounding crescendo of the final 100 metres, some race calls etch themselves into memory. These calls capture the race’s spirit and raw emotion, enhancing the spectacle and leaving a mark on listeners and witnesses. More than just commentary, they become part of the race's legacy, evoking exhilaration and nostalgia for years to come.
Front running Rides
Few things in horse racing are as exhilarating as witnessing a front-running ride. Spectators hold their breath, wondering if the early leader can sustain their position until the end. This requires a balance of athleticism, strategy and pacing from both horse and rider as they make split-second decisions and coordinated moves.
Here, we count down five of the most captivating and impressive Flemington front-running rides.
