2018 New Zealand Derby


The 2018 New Zealand Derby was a horse race which took place at Ellerslie Racecourse on Saturday 3 March 2018. It was the 143rd running of the New Zealand Derby, and it was won by Vin De Dance.
Vin De Dance was offered at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale as a two-year-old, but was passed in. A sale was later negotiated for $70,000, with breeder Luigi Muollo retaining a share alongside new owners OTI Racing and the Kilted Taniwha Syndicate.
The son of Roc de Cambes was sent to the Cambridge stable of Hall of Famer Murray Baker and his training partner Andrew Forsman. The team has won multiple New Zealand training premierships, and guided Mongolian Khan to victory in the 2015 New Zealand Derby.
Vin De Dance made a winning debut at Pukekohe in early September, then was placed in two subsequent appearances at Te Rapa. He was sent to Melbourne, where he finished third at Flemington and fifth in the Moonee Valley Vase.
Withdrawn from the Victoria Derby and given several months off to strengthen and develop, Vin De Dance returned with fourth and sixth placings over 1400 and 1600 metres in late January and early February. He moved into Derby contention with a fighting third in the Avondale Guineas.
The fifth favourite for the Derby at $9.90, Vin De Dance was handy throughout the 2400-metre race and loomed as a major threat around the home turn. He hit the lead inside the last 200 metres, but was joined by Mongolianconqueror in a desperate two-horse battle to the finish that Vin De Dance won by a nose.
OTI Racing's Terry Henderson described the New Zealand Derby win as the fulfilment of a long-held dream.
It was the first Derby win for jockey Jason Waddell.
Mongolianconqueror's trainers Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards came up a mere nose short of winning the Derby two years in a row, having won the 2017 running with Gingernuts.

Race details

Sponsor: Vodafone New ZealandPrize money: NZ$1,000,000Track: GoodNumber of runners: 18Winner's time: 2:28.44

Winner's details

Further details of the winner, Vin De Dance:Foaled: 13 September 2014Sire: Roc de Cambes; Dam: Explosive Dancer Owner: OTI Racing, L Muollo & Kilted Taniwha SyndicateTrainer: Murray Baker & Andrew ForsmanBreeder: Explosive Breeding Ltd Starts: 9Wins: 2Seconds: 2Thirds: 2Earnings: $639,969

The road to the Derby

Early-season appearances in 2017-18 prior to running in the Derby.
Vin De Dance – 5th Moonee Valley Vase, 3rd Avondale GuineasMongolianconqueror – 2nd Waikato Guineas, 7th Avondale GuineasDanzdanzdance – 6th Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 2nd Avondale GuineasThe Mayor – 6th Avondale GuineasEndowment – 2nd Auckland Guineas, 8th Avondale GuineasMission Hill – 5th Avondale GuineasCivil Disobedience – 1st Tasmanian DerbyOn The Rocks – 1st Trevor Eagle Memorial, 3rd Auckland Guineas, 8th Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 1st Avondale GuineasTime Lord – 3rd Waikato GuineasIrish Flame – 3rd El Roca Trophy, 7th Hawke's Bay Guineas, 8th Sarten Memorial, 7th New Zealand 2000 Guineas, 13th Avondale GuineasJimmy Rocket – 12th Waikato GuineasSecret Ambition – 10th Trevor Eagle Memorial, 3rd Auckland Salver, 17th Karaka Million 3YO Classic, 14th Avondale GuineasMaktoum – 7th Levin Classic, 5th Waikato GuineasTavlin – 11th Waikato Guineas

Subsequent Group 1 wins

Subsequent wins at Group 1 level by runners in the 2018 New Zealand Derby.