The Queensland Derby is one of the Group Ones held on Stradbroke Day, the pinnacle of the Brisbane Winter Carnival. But the Queensland Derby shouldn't be thought of as a race that plays second fiddle to the Stradbroke. That's because it is a race with a long and rich history, as one Australia's true time-honoured horse races.

The Queensland Derby was first contested back in 1868 at Gayndah Racecourse. This is a heritage-listed track in the North Burnett Region of Queensland, that still holds race meets today. However, after three years at Gayndah, the Queensland Derby was shifted to Eagle Farm in 1871.

Unsurprisingly, some great horses have etched their names onto the Queensland Derby honour roll over the years. This prestigious list includes Lough Neagh, Kingston Town and Strawberry Road. 

The Derby is run a week after the Queensland Oaks, the premier staying event for fillies. While the Derby is a race where the colts tend to dominate, some fillies have been good enough to do the double over the years.

The last filly to do the Oaks-Derby double was Riva San in 2008. Although, Youngstar came close in 2018, finishing 3rd in the Derby after winning the Oaks. The sheer effort needed to run two staying races in 7 days is such that it takes a very special horse to do the double.

Punters have had a superb record in the Queensland Derby of late. Since 2010, six of the nine winners have started at a price of $5 or less. This points to the fact that in a race like the Derby, it is the classiest animal that tends to prevail.