Australian Derby 2026 - Barrier Draw & Final Field
The Australian Derby is a historic and prestigious race known for producing champions like Phar Lap and Octagonal. Recent contenders, such as Riff Rocket and Major Beel, highlight its competitive nature. In 2026, Godolphin's Observer, aiming for a Derby double, contends with the likes of Green Spaces and Storm Leopard, both impressive in their lead-ups. New Zealand Derby winner Road To Paris also presents a strong challenge. The race continues to attract top-tier talent and maintain its status as a key event in the horse racing calendar.
- The barrier draw has been conducted for the 2026 Australian Derby
- This feature will be run on Saturday, April 4 at Randwick
- Full field available below
Green Spaces has drawn barrier six in the 2026 Australian Derby. (Getty)
Since 1960, only eight horses have completed the Victorian Derby/Australian Derby double, although two of those have come recently via Riff Rocket (2023/2024) and Hitotsu (2021/2022).
Observer (barrier 12) is aiming to join that list, with the Godolphin colt opening his 2026 campaign with back-to-back wins, including a Group 1 Australian Guineas triumph, before finishing third as favourite in the Rosehill Guineas.
Green Spaces (barrier 6) finished ahead of Observer in the Rosehill Guineas, with the rise in distance suiting the son of Street Boss after being well held in the Randwick Guineas.
The Tulloch Stakes has produced 10 Australian Derby winners, with recent examples including Major Beel (2023), Quick Thinker (2020), Angel Of Truth (2019), Levendi (2018), and Jon Snow (2017).
Storm Leopard (barrier 5) comes through that Rosehill lead-up, winning the Group 2 comfortably at his first attempt over 2000m, which followed a strong chasing effort over 1600m behind Salty Pearl.
Five Australian Derby winners have come via the New Zealand Derby, including three within the past decade, reinforcing its status as a key international pathway.
Road To Paris (barrier 10) arrives off a New Zealand Derby victory and is prepared by Roger James & Robert Wellwood, who have enjoyed Group 1 success in Australia with Orchestral (2024) and Prowess (2023) in the Vinery Stud Stakes, while they also prepared Pinarello, who claimed the 2022 Queensland Derby.
Australian Derby 2026 - Barriers & Final Field
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observer | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 12 | 56.5kg | $3.20 |
| 2 | Road To Paris (NZ) | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | TBA | 10 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 3 | Green Spaces | Bjorn Baker | Rachel King | 6 | 56.5kg | $3.20 |
| 4 | Deal Done Fast | Matt Cumani | Damian Lane | 8 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 5 | Storm Leopard | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Tommy Berry | 5 | 56.5kg | $4.50 |
| 6 | One Step Closer | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 2 | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 7 | Federalist | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dylan Gibbons | 7 | 56.5kg | $13 |
| 8 | Savisanta (NZ) | Chris Waller | TBA | 11 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 9 | Victorious Spirit | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 13 | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 10 | Kaye Jay | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 1 | 56.5kg | $51 |
| 11 | Bingi | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Michael Dee | 9 | 56.5kg | $51 |
| 12 | Are You Kidding | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Ashley Morgan | 3 | 56.5kg | $101 |
| 13 | Dezignation | Matthew Smith | Tyler Schiller | 4 | 56.5kg | $101 |
Odds courtesy of Dabble & correct on 31/03/2026.
Australian Derby Winners
Dating back to 1861, the Australian Derby is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious races, run over 2400m, with champions such as Phar Lap, Tulloch, Dulcify, Kingston Town and Bonecrusher among its honour roll.
Champion stayer Octagonal holds the race record after stopping the clock at 2:28.41 in 1996, while the largest winning margin came in 1886 when Trident surged clear to score by 10 lengths.
Major Beel (2023), Riff Rocket (2024) and Aeliana (2025) have captured the past three editions of the Australian Derby.
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