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Derby Day

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Mark Zahra is riding Tentyris in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

We set our sights on this race months ago. It’s where reputations are made

A disappointing autumn has blossomed into a spring dream for Coolmore Stud Stakes favourite Tentyris.

  • Sam Freedman

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Mark Zahra gives a trademark fist pump as he returns to the mounting yard.

‘Just keep a lid on it’: Zahra wins four on Derby Day but wants more as cup carnival continues

Mark Zahra rode four winners on Victoria Derby Day including Observer in the feature race on a glorious spring day at Flemington.

  • Roy Ward, Danny Russell, Andrew Wu, Cara Waters, Damien Woolnough and Nell Geraets
Jamie Melham with the co-trainers of Half Yours, Calvin and Tony McEvoy.

McEvoys to take on the world: Our lone Aussie hope in the Melbourne Cup

A father-and-son training partnership will take on the mighty mega stables and some gun internationals in the race that stops a nation.

  • Danny Russell and Andrew Wu
Mark Zahra with the Victoria Derby trophy.

The highs and lows of racing: Zahra’s dream Derby Day as Prebble opens up on life-changing fall

More than 86,000 people were witness to a Derby Day in which leading Melbourne trainer Ciaron Maher’s group 1 double was overshadowed by Mark Zahra’s dream run.

  • Andrew Wu and Danny Russell
Racegoers in traditional Derby Day Black and White at Flemington
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Derby Day Flemington 2025

Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Howden Victoria Derby Day, the traditional curtain raiser to one of the world’s most famous weeks of racing

  • Danie Sprague
Beiwacht races clear in the Golden Rose.

These horses will win the Derby and Coolmore Stud Stakes

Look for horses ridden by Mark Zahra and owned by Godolphin when you head to Flemington for Derby Day.

  • Danny Russell
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Brothers JD, Ben and Will Hayes trained two of the first four winners on Cox Plate day.

How Succession should have ended: Hayes dynasty proves what’s possible when a family gets it right

Passing a business empire down through the generations can be tricky business. So far, the Hayes family is getting it right.

  • Danny Russell
Via Sistina won the Cox Plate.

Three big guns that will win on Champions day: Flemington’s best bets

It is the fourth and final day of Melbourne Cup week, and three of the best horses in the country are expected to come up trumps in the three group 1s.

  • Danny Russell
Actor Rachel Griffiths keeps it stylish even with a broken arm on Derby Day.

Brotherly love in short supply when Rachel Griffiths breaks her arm

Even with her arm in a cast, the actor and producer was able to observe the black-and-white dress code at Derby Day.

  • Stephen Brook, Cara Waters and Kishor Napier-Raman
Cieren Fallon celebrates on Lake Forest in the Golden Eagle.

‘I can’t explain it’: Connections request meeting with stewards after horse scratched from Cup

Shattered trainer John O’Shea told owners he was “deeply sorry” after their horse was scratched on Cup eve, as connections questioned the decision.

  • Danny Russell