In horse racing, prestige is the one word used to describe winning a Derby and breeders, owners, trainers and drivers treat a victory in a Derby as a special moment in their career.

Also known as the “blue riband event”, derby races are conducted all over the world in both thoroughbred and harness racing.

So it was disappointing when the Western District Derby dropped off the calendar in the early 1990s, more likely caused by the huge popularity and success of the Sires Stakes Series and other juvenile futurity classics.

But the Western District Derby, Sapling Stakes and Oaks were re-introduced last season thanks to the foresight of the delegates from clubs throughout the district.

Bathurst held last season’s derby which was won by former Gold Crown winner, Emjayem Grand while the Oaks was run at Parkes and was taken out by Millennium Tide for Amanda and Steve Turnbull.

Last year’s Sapling Stakes was to be held at Dubbo but failed to attract sufficient nominations.

The three district TAB clubs will rotate the classic events into the future and already the Bathurst club has conducted the Oaks which was taken out by Riverina filly Im A Happy Girl.

Next Tuesday evening the Parkes Harness Racing Club will conduct its Australia Day Carnival of Cups meeting and the Western District Derby is just one of a number of feature events on what should be a fantastic meeting, carrying more than $60,000 in stakes.

Parkes has always been a prominent club and has had its share of exciting

derbies both in day and night time

racing.

Since night racing began in Parkes in 1953, some great classic races have been held and the late Ken Cock and Peter Loftburg won the derby with the very talented Esquire.

Another Parkes stalwart to win the derby was the late Bob Aiken with his champion pacer and stallion, Billabong Chief.

“The Chief” won the 1963 edition while Henry McDermott won the 1973 Derby with the Dubbo owned pacer, Cyron.

Not many fillies win a Derby but Parkes filly, Eva Thor was exceptional and she took out the 1978 Western District Derby and Parkes Oaks and went on to greater heights.