The WATC Derby is a Gr 1 Australian race contested in April every year over 2400m at set weights by three-year-old thoroughbreds at Ascot Racecourse in Perth, Western Australia. The race currently offers a purse of AUD$500,000 and is generally considered to be the most important staying event in the state.

Inaugurated in 1888, the WATC Derby is one of the oldest races in Australia and has thus become something of a prestigious event each year. As such, it regularly attracts many talented three-year-olds from the state as well as notable runners from other states in Australia, and even further afield from neighboring countries.

For instance, the 2009 WATC Derby winner was New Zealand-bred thoroughbred, Marcus Maximus, who ran a magnificent race as he stunned the large Ascot crowd by flying passed race favorite Phenomenons and Berlioz to cross the line first. Marcus Maximus was ridden by Luke Nolen for trainer Peter Moody.

Held each year as part of Ascot Racecourse's prestigious Perth autumn carnival, the WATC Derby is run on the same day as the highly-anticipated Sires Produce Stakes (Gr 2) for two-year-old thoroughbreds. Run close to the AJC Derby and Australian Oaks in Sydney, many trainers forgo the WATC Derby for those.

Notable WATC Derby winner, Carbine, won this race over 100 years ago in 1894, who chalked up many victories in graded races across Australia. These included the Cumberland Stakes, Sydney Cup, All Aged Stakes, AJC Plate, Melbourne Stakes, Craven Plate, Melbourne Cup and AJC Spring Stakes.

WATC Derby - Past Winners

2005 Plastered Derby
2006 Cats Fun
2007 Guyno
2008 Grand Journey
2009 Markus Maximus

WATC Derby - Betting

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