Aeliana dominates G1 Australian Derby

Castelvecchio’s second first-crop Group 1 winner could not have been more emphatic.

The only filly in the $2 million ATC Australian Derby 2400m G1 on Day 1 of The Championships at Randwick, Aeliana swept to the lead 350 metres out and proceeded to put more than 5 lengths between herself and her rivals headed by Firm Agreement & Shanwah. 

It was a performance reminiscent of her grandsire Dundeel’s 6-length romp in the 2013 Australian Derby, and makes Aeliana the 5th filly to win the race since 1979, after Shamrocker (2011), Research (1989), Tristarc (1985) and Rose Of Kingston (1982). 

The Derby goes to the filly! 🤩

Aeliana destroys them in the G1 Australian Derby, and just how good is she?!@cwallerracing | @LaneDamian | @StarTbreds | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool pic.twitter.com/pXfg6xnL1v

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025

Jockey Damien Lane summed up Aeliana’s dominant victory. “She was extraordinary. She left the barriers well, just travelled great from the outset and felt a winner a long way out.”

Trainer Chris Waller said, “It was a great performance and all credit to her, she’s had a couple of near misses in Group Ones but she’s got her own and she’s got it in good style.”

It’s been a remarkable nine months for Aeliana, who began her career in August, won at Group 3 & Listed level in the Spring, was a close second in both the Thousand Guineas G1 and last month’s Rosehill Guineas G1, has earned $2.2 million and is now the early favourite for October’s Caulfield Cup G1.

The season has been equally remarkable for Castelvecchio. Aeliana and Spring Champion S. G1 winner El Castello head the 5 stakeswinners that have all emerged since last Spring and catapulted the dual Group 1-winning son of Dundeel to the front row of Australia’s 2nd Season Sires. He is now second to Too Darn Hot on that Premiership with $5.3 million prizemoney. 

Aeliana is the second foal of Temolie (by Star Witness), purchased in foal to Castelvecchio for $200,000 from Edinburgh Park Stud at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale by the filly’s New Zealand breeders Nearco Stud & Rich Hill Stud. 

Offered under Rich Hill’s banner in Book 1 of the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sale, Aeliana was secured for $180,000 by syndicator Denise Martin who had already enjoyed great success with her family. Temolie is a half-sister to Star Thoroughbreds’ Group 1 winner & $3 million earner Invincibella. 

Denise Martin and Brett Howard’s Randwick Bloodstock signed at NZ$300,000 for Aeliana’s half-sister by Proisir at this year’s Karaka Sale. 

Aeliana is the 7th Group 1 winner descended from the wonderful New Zealand mare Queen Of Song whose 11 wins during the 1930s included the Wellington Cup and the C.B. Fisher Plate (now Queen Elizabeth S. G3) at Flemington.

Other notable performers among Queen Of Song’s descendants are the Australian champion colts Taras Bulba & Starcraft (the2004 Australian Derby winner & sire of Aeliana’s damsire Star Witness), stakes-winning fillies Zephyr Magic, Forum Floozie, Taciturn, Tell All, Top Secret & Entrancing, and Australian stayers The Hind (Adelaide Cup G1) and Oregon Star (Geelong Cup LR).