Read what the Jockeys and Trainers said following the Victoria Derby 2025.
Winning Trainers: Ciaron Maher
Ride by Zahra: “He took luck out of it. He’s riding on the crest of a wave. There’s no-one riding any better. He’s a great mate. It’s just fantastic for Godolphin and to be able to train a colt like that, he’s got so much ahead of him and so much furnishing to do.”
Leading?: “I said to Mark, there was no point trying to fight him, let’s just go with him. I thought he was that better than them and I said you might as well ride him that way. To Mark’s credit, he had the revs up early and I was a bit worried, but he got some nice sectionals midrace and that’s fantastic.”
On winning the Derby for Godolphin: “To be given a horse like Tempted to run in an Everest and run so well and to have such a progressive colt like this, I can’t thank Andy (Makiv), Jason (Walsh) and the whole team, Ross (Cole).
“The whole Godolphin team, they’re an elite outfit, and I can’t thank them enough.”
On the colt: “I think the sky’s the limit for this colt, he’s just so adaptable. 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.”
On the race: “I thought he was going quick enough earlier that nothing would be silly enough to take him on but I was rapt that he backed him off nicely.
“I said to Mark before the race, I think he’s better than them, don’t worry about him running the trip, he’ll do it.
“Confidence is everything in any kind of sportsman and Mark’s certainly got plenty of that.”
Winning Jockey: Mark Zahra (Observer)
Four on the trot and two Group 1’s back-to-back: “What a day. It’s great riding for the best trainers. They do their job, I do my job and what a great day.”
Led and he held on: “I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence. 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 a tough. He’s just like his old man and late, when they got to him, he found again. It was a very good victory.”
Needed the gas today: “It cost me $1500 (last week), but I saved those few lengths for today.”
Beaten Jockeys:
Jamie Mott (Highvol): “He had a good run outside the winner. I felt he’s just at the end of it.”
Blake Shinn (Autumn Mystery): “Draw was always going to be tricky for him, had to go back, pace slowed mid race, didn’t have a lot of luck getting through but he hit the line well.”
Jordan Childs (Miewa): “Went super. Ended up back, had a nice enough cart into the race, got out and he hit the line well. He’s going well.”
Harry Coffey (Options): “Got a nice run today after jumping well, travelled really well throughout. It was a bit tight at the top of the straight, which sort of hampered his momentum, and then probably fully didn’t round it out late on the firming track.”
Craig Williams (Providence): “He ran really well; he stayed well today, relaxed. The favourite, the winner, controlled the race, was too dominant, but my horse is good and I think he has a lot of upside.”
Michael Dee (Azazel): “He came into the race, I thought he was going to sort of keep running along, but when he can’t get his toe in, he just doesn’t feel that comfortable.”
John Allen (Arcora): “He ran super. We had a got run but the leader probably got a little bit soft in front which didn’t help our cause but we got within a length of it and for a stride I thought we’d get past it. My horse was very brave.”
Kerrin McEvoy (O’sheamus): “He was in great order. Probably wasn’t suited by a dash home, when I was building his momentum he got a little bit of a squeeze which didn’t assist but he stayed on well.”
Declan Bates (Amazake): “Ok. He just grinded his way home. Didn’t have the smoothest run in transit but he’s a horse that will mature a bit more and over time he’ll get the trip, no worries.”
Tommy Berry (Engine Of War): “He just wasn’t able to execute that first couple of furlongs, trying to get cover with him, always going to make it tough for him. He stuck on okay.”
Thomas Stockdale (Matsuda): “Navigated into the three-wide line for a bit of cover from the outside draw. Ultimately he failed to settle which told in his finish. With more maturity on his side, he’ll be a better horse.”
Jye McNeil (One Step Closer): “He ran fantastic, got a little bit further back than intended. Relaxed good, had a nice run through and ran super.”
Ben Melham (Savisanta): “He ran well. Had every hope from the good draw, probably appreciate more give.”
Jamie Melham (Mcwoody): “Third start in a race definitely showed today, he was just very immature and didn’t know what was going on. Probably needs a break to mature a bit now.”
Daniel Stackhouse (Deal Done Fast): “He was great. We use the barrier to settle and find a rhythm. When it turned into a sit and sprint he was a little bit flatfooted but got to the line very well.”
