Sa Derby

Race Preview

The SA Derby is a Group 1 race held every May at Morphettville racecourse. It is raced over a distance of 2500 meters and is run under same weight conditions. The race is open to three year olds of any sex and carries a prize purse of $300,000.

It has a long and proud history dating right back to 1860. The race was held over a distance of 2400 metres right up until 1979, where it was also upgraded to Group 1 status, and has been held over 2500m since.

The SA Derby has produced some great winners in the past with some of the more notable names including Rebel Raider, Brewery Boy and Stormy Rex. Big Pat has the fastest time at 2:36.25 way back in 2001.

The race has actually produced multiple Melbourne Cup winners in the same year. Subzero, Gatum Gatum, Auraria and Tim Whiffler have all done the WA Derby and Melbourne Cup double in the same year. Will it happen again this year..?

Spotting Winners

Look for horses coming into this race via the Port Adelaide Guineas or the VRC St Leger. These two races are the best indication of form and have produced multiple winners of the SA Derby in the past.

Try to stay clear of fillies if you can help it as they don’t have the greatest record in this race. Even though Zarita won as a filly in 2008, only two fillies have won the SA Derby since 1985.

Previous Sa Derby Winners