Mark Zahra – What a Derby Day this was. He stormed home in those four races, including his famous victory in the elite level Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. His impressive performance not only highlighted his skills but solidified his status as one of the top jockeys in the sport.
Zahra, who opened the day with a victory on Getta Good Feeling in the Wakeful Stakes, backed that up with another win on Warnie in the Damien Oliver. He capped off his remarkable run becoming last seen riding Tentyris to an electrifying victory in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. If that wasn’t enough, with impeccable timing, he allowed the horse to erupt by the finish line. Zahra’s joyful roar echoed through the crowd as Tentyris crossed the line, marking his second triumph in this prestigious race, the first being with Merchant Navy in 2017.
Zahra scored an amazing hat trick on Derby Day, capturing her fourth straight victory. She did it all inside a personal best on the exciting first day of the 2025 Flemington carnival. In fact, his previous personal best was three wins in total during the entire four-day extravaganza. In the same meet, he rode Leica Lucy, finishing second, proving even more his versatility and skill on the track.
Declan Bates shone just as brightly as another popular jockey of the day. As an amateur, he gained significant renown for taking part, despite not having ridden the winner. The spotlight was still firmly on Zahra last week after he pondered his big coup.
“Unbelievable,” – Mark Zahra
Zahra’s victory has been celebrated by many prominent figures in the racing community, including drivers, race-calling legends and commentators. In an Instagram post shared by RSPCA Australia, Trainer Ciaron Maher shared his feelings of admiration for Tentyris, saying, “Ecstatic & appreciative, respectful, just an amazing horse. And check out what Anthony Freedman said about Zahra’s dominance all day long—“He’s very good. Today he was dominant.
Aside from his flop at Derby Day, Mark Zahra is best known as a two-time Melbourne cup winner. His recent wins only serve to underscore his unmatched talent and dedication to the craft.
“It just shows riding for the best owners, the best horses,” – Mark Zahra
Reflecting on his achievements, Zahra commented on the teamwork involved in his success: “The manager does his job, I did my job – what a great day.”
