Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club have announced a $1 million prizemoney increase for the feature race on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Group 1 Victoria Derby will this year carry a purse of $3 million when it is run over 2500m at Flemington on October 31.
The increased prizemoney comes following the Asian Pattern Committee’s recent consideration of whether to downgrade the Derby’s Group 1 status.
The APC ultimately decided to keep the Derby as a Group 1 contest, with further debate to be held on its ‘Black Type’ status later in the season.
The extra $1 million in prizemoney brings the Derby in line with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10, also for three-year-olds.
RV chief executive Aaron Morrison said the increase in prizemoney reflects the importance of the Derby on the opening day of Melbourne Cup week.
“The Victoria Derby is integral to the success of Victorian racing, in terms of its rich heritage and its role in headlining one of the biggest race days in world racing,” Morrison said.
“We believe the retention of Group 1 status for the Victoria Derby is vital given the day’s importance to our industry and the fabric of Australian racing more broadly.
“We must be proactive to ensure that is preserved. This prizemoney boost is an important first step.
“Beyond this, we’re continuing to review our feature three-year-old and staying programs, including conditions, pattern and prizemoney, to determine what is best for the industry in 2027 and beyond.”
Godolphin galloper Observer won last year’s Victoria Derby, having finished an unlucky third in the Caulfield Guineas a start earlier.
