Observer stamps his dominance in the 2025 Victoria Derby

Observer produced a staying performance of maturity and strength to claim the $2 million Victoria Derby, handing Godolphin and Ciaron Maher a memorable start to Cup Week.

The colt’s victory came on the same program that saw Tentyris win the Coolmore Stud Stakes, giving the royal blue silks both major three-year-old Group 1s.

For Mark Zahra, it was part of a stunning sequence of wins that began with Getta Good Feeling in the Wakeful Stakes and continued with Warnie in The Damien Oliver.

The stable’s success extended to Randwick, where Jimmysstar won the $3 million Russell Balding Stakes.

Pride Of Jenni closed out the day with a defence of her title in the Empire Rose Stakes.

Maher said Observer had continued to build through the campaign, with his Moonee Valley Vase victory confirming his staying credentials following a luckless run in the Caulfield Guineas.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this colt, he’s just so adaptable,” Maher said.

“He was unlucky in a Guineas, he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.

“I’m rapt with our team. Mark (Zahra) is a great mate, he’s riding on a real crest of a wave and there’s nothing better than to win the Derby on Derby Day. It’s what it’s all about.”

Zahra took advantage of barrier four to lead and made every post a winner.

Observer ($2.45F) scored by three-quarters of a length from Arcora ($61), with Deal Done Fast ($31) finishing third.

“I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence,” Zahra said.

“I heard him say, ‘he’ll run it, so if you want to lead, just do it’. He never switches right off, he’s always on the bridle, but he’s tough.

“He’s just like his old man and late, when they got to him, he found again.

“It’s great riding for the best trainers. They do their job, I do my job and what a great day.”

It was Zahra’s first Victoria Derby win and Maher’s second after training Hitotsu to victory in 2021.