Some facts about the Group One $1.5 million AJC Australian Derby (2400m) to be run at Randwick tomorrow.
* First run in 1861 and won by Kyogle, the Derby is firmly established as the number one three-year-old Classic in the country.
* Notable past winners include Grand Flaneur (1880), Poseidon (1906), Prince Foote (1909), Gloaming (1918), Heroic (1924), Phar Lap (1929), Peter Pan (1932), Hall Mark (1933), Tea Rose (1944), Carbon Copy (1948), Tulloch (1957), Silver Sharpe (1970), Classic Mission (1971), Imagele (1973), Dulcify (1979), Kingston Town (1980), Strawberry Road (1983), Bonecrusher (1986), Beau Zam (1988), Research (1989), Naturalism (1992), Mahogany (1994), Octagonal (1996), Starcraft (2004) and Eremein (2005).
* Only eight fillies have won in the Derby’s 149-year history: Clove (1865), Florence (1870), Nellie (1879), Picture (1898), Tea Rose (1944), Rose Of Kingston (1982), Tristarc (1985) and Research (1989).
* Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker is the only filly in this year’s event.
* The 1895 victor Bob Ray was the first gelding to win the Derby.
* The late TJ Smith holds training honours with nine winners: Playboy (1949), Tulloch (1957), Summer Prince (1962), Summer Fiesta (1963), Prince Grant (1965), Silver Sharpe (1970), Imagele (1973), Great Lover (1976) and the mighty Kingston Town (1980).
* Champion jockey Tommy Hales holds the record for riding the most winners: Richmond (1875), Grand Flaneur (1880), Navigator (1882), Bargo (1884), Trident (1886) and Abercorn (1887).
* Other jockeys to have greeted the judge more than once include Darby Munro (five), George Moore (five) and in more recent times Mick Dittman and Darren Beadman with three.
* This year marks the 50th anniversary of arguably the most famous AJC Derby. The 1961 Derby was the scene of the infamous “leg-pull” incident. On that occasion, Mel Schumacher, who was first past the post on Blue Era, pulled the leg of rival jockey Tommy Hill on Summer Fair. Unfortunately for Schumacher it was the first time the head-on camera was utilised and he was caught red-handed. This led to Hill’s protest being upheld and Schumacher being disqualified for life, later reduced to six years.
* Trainers with runners this year who have won the race before: Bart Cummings – I Think I Do (Roman Emperor 2009, Ivory’s Irish 1995, Beau Zam 1988, Prolific 1984, Belmura Lad 1977); John Hawkes won with Octagonal (1996), Headturner (2006) and Fiumicino (2007) before he started training in partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne. They will be represented by Shadowofexcellence on Saturday.
* Jockeys with a ride on Saturday who have won the race before: Corey Brown – Praecido (Eremein 2005); Glen Boss – Shamrocker (Starcraft 2004; Sky Heights 1999).
