Victoria Derby prize money increased to $3 million

Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club have announced a $1 million increase in prize money for the Victoria Derby, bringing the total purse for the Group 1 race to $3 million. The event is scheduled to be held over 2500m at Flemington on October 31, marking the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The decision follows a review by the Asian Pattern Committee regarding the Derby’s Group 1 classification. While the committee decided to maintain the race's Group 1 status, further discussions regarding its ‘Black Type’ status are expected later in the season. The new prize pool aligns the Victoria Derby with the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

Racing Victoria Chief Executive Aaron Morrison stated that the boost is a proactive step to preserve the race's importance to the industry and its heritage. He noted that the organization is continuing to review feature three-year-old and staying programs to benefit the industry in the coming years.