The opening meeting of the Melbourne Cup Week at Flemington culminated in a breathtaking performance as the heavily-backed favourite Observer landed the 2025 Victoria Derby, confirming his status as the premier three-year-old stayer of the spring.

2025 Victoria Derby winner Observer was far too good saluting for the punters in a terrific front-running performance. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The victory was the crowning jewel on an unforgettable day for jockey Mark Zahra, whose master class reached a spectacular climax with his fourth win on the trot.

Zahra secured back-to-back Group 1s for the afternoon, following his Coolmore Stud Stakes triumph on Tentyris, with another flawless ride aboard the Ciaron Maher trained Ghaiyyath colt in the Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m).

A delighted Zahra summed up his golden run.

“What a day. It’s great riding for the best trainers,” he said.

“They do their job, I do my job and what a great day.”

History Made on the Quick Back-Up

Observer, who was equally dominant in the Moonee Valley Vase on Cox Plate Day, became the first three-year-old to achieve the rare Vase – Derby double since Efficient (2006) on the short seven-day turnaround.

Jumping cleanly from a favourable barrier four draw, Observer took the lead and was never headed, delivering a brilliant all-the-way performance that will be etched into the Derby history books.

Trainer Maher, who secured his second Victoria Derby success (and first as a solo trainer), was full of praise for his young colt.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this colt, he’s just so adaptable,” he told Racing.com.

“He was unlucky in a (Caulfield) Guineas (running 3rd), he’s won a Vase and now he’s won a Derby and he’s pretty similar to his old man.”

A Confident Plan Pays Off

Maher was quick to credit Zahra for executing the bold, front-running strategy which took luck out of the equation in the staying feature.

Zahra largely controlled the tempo up front and showed incredible fortitude to hold off the challengers in the straight, winning by a decisive three-quarter length margin over Arcora.

Maher remarked on the jockey’s aggressive tactics.

“He took luck out of it,” he said, praising Zahra’s confident ride.

“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.”

He elaborated on the pre-race discussion.

“I said to Mark, there was no point trying to fight him, let’s just go with him,” he added.

“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.”

Zahra confirmed the confidence instilled by the stable.

“I ummed and ahhed whether to lead, but speaking to Ciaron he gave me great confidence,” he said.

“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.”

The Victoria Derby trifecta was rounded out by the roughie hope Deal Done Fast, who ran enormous for third, while One Step Closer finished off the first four.

2025 Victoria Derby Results

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