The record books were rewritten at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships, as Rachel King became the first female jockey to capture the 2026 Australian Derby following a breathtaking three-length display by the Bjorn Baker-trained Green Spaces.
Green Spaces was enormous winning the 2026 ATC Derby by over three lengths. Photo: Bradley Photos.
The final Group 1 of the Doncaster Day program, the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby (2400m), quickly turned into a procession.
The progressive Street Boss colt Green Spaces ($4.40) left his rivals gasping for air in the straight to secure a dominant maiden elite-level victory.
ATC Derby winner Green Spaces has firmed in from $51 to $26 through Ladbrokes to win the Melbourne Cup on November 3!
“So special, what a great watch, when they are in the zone like that, his trackwork has been in the zone, I was very confident, I couldn’t have him any better going into today,” an elated Baker told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“Every time I looked at him in the box, his coat was great, he is in the zone, his work on Tuesday was great.
“The rain came this morning and I was very confident he was fit enough.”
Coming just one race after Sheza Alibi’s historic Doncaster romp, the Rosehill Guineas form was further solidified as Green Spaces improved on his lead-up second in that feature to dismantle the Derby field.
“Wasn’t necessarily the greatest thing winning the first race of the day (with Blue Door in the Group 3 Kindergarten Stakes) as I thought I might over-race going towards the Derby, but I was able to relax pretty well and throughout the run it was a great watch,” Baker added.
Produced in peak condition by King, Green Spaces secured his first victory of the autumn in emphatic style.
“Just satisfying, I’ve had some much belief in this horse, the whole team has, they’ve done an amazing job, and Bjorn has just timed it to perfection. Set him perfectly,” King said.
“He’s a beautiful horse and it set up perfectly for him today… he just relaxed so well, did everything I asked, a very satisfying win.”
Sitting quietly in sixth as the field turned for home behind the front-running Tulloch Stakes winner Storm Leopard, Green Spaces loomed large at the top of the rise.
King pulled the trigger at the 150m mark, and the colt responded with a devastating turn of foot to put the result beyond doubt.
Green Spaces officially stopped the clock with a 3.19 length margin over the fast-finishing outsider Dezignation ($151), while the courageous Storm Leopard ($4.60) stayed on for third.
“Extraordinary effort off the back up,” jockey Tommy Berry said of the third-place finisher.
“The winner was set for the race and won accordingly. He has a bright future in the staying ranks.”
Baker was quick to praise King’s tactical brilliance and already has his sights set on the Group 1 $10 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on the first Tuesday of November.
“She’s done so much work for our stable and she delivers… she rode him perfectly today, it was an exceptional ride. Melbourne Cup – bring it on!”
Early Melbourne Cup 2026 futures at Ladbrokes have reacted to the win, with Green Spaces crunched from $51 into $26.
2026 Australian Derby Results
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | GREEN SPACES | Bjorn Baker | Ms Rachel King | 6 | 56.5kg | $4.40 | ||
| 2 | 13 | DEZIGNATION | Matthew Smith | Tyler Schiller | 3.19L | 4 | 56.5kg | $151 | |
| 3 | 5 | STORM LEOPARD | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Tommy Berry | 3.61L | 5 | 56.5kg | $4.60 | |
| 4 | 10 | KAYE JAY | Clayton Douglas | Mark Zahra | 4.48L | 1 | 56.5kg | $26 | |
| 5 | 1 | OBSERVER | Ciaron Maher | James McDonald | 4.51L | 12 | 56.5kg | $3F | |
| 6 | 6 | ONE STEP CLOSER | Tom Charlton | Zac Lloyd | 5.99L | 2 | 56.5kg | $17 | |
| 7 | 2 | ROAD TO PARIS (NZ) | Roger James & Robert Wellwood | Zac Purton | 8.05L | 10 | 56.5kg | $11 | |
| 8 | 4 | DEAL DONE FAST | Matt Cumani | Damian Lane | 8.65L | 8 | 56.5kg | $20 | |
| 9 | 9 | VICTORIOUS SPIRIT | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 9.5L | 13 | 56.5kg | $26 | |
| 10 | 8 | SAVISANTA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 11.32L | 11 | 56.5kg | $31 | |
| 11 | 12 | ARE YOU KIDDING | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Ashley Morgan | 19.26L | 3 | 56.5kg | $61 | |
| 12 | 7 | FEDERALIST | Michael, John & Wayne Hawkes | Dylan Gibbons | 24.36L | 7 | 56.5kg | $21 | |
| 13 | 11 | BINGI | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Michael Dee | 25.05L | 9 | 56.5kg | $61 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
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