Shamrocker is the first filly to win the Australian Derby in 22 years

For the first time in 22 years the AJC Australian Derby has been won by a filly with Shamrocker becoming just the eighth filly in history to claim the event.

This gives her the Australian Guineas, Australian Derby  Group 1 double, something never seen before by an Australian filly.

Retrieve battled hard early to work to the front alongside He’s Remarkable with Light Brigade in third.

New Zealand superstar Jimmy Choux was sixth and trapped on the fence and never looked like getting into the race.

When they rounded the bend both He’s Remarkable and Light Brigade quickly fell away and Retrieve grabbed the lead by a couple of lengths..

Shamrocker quickly moved up alongside him though and it looked like she’d cruise straight past him.

To Retrieve’s credit he fought back and they were neck and neck down the straight right up until the final 100m.

She hit the line the best of any of them and in the end it was a comfortable victory with Retrieve a gallant second and Anacheeva working hard late to grab third.

Glen Boss was ecstatic after the run on a horse he jumped off after she won last start only to call the owners and ask for the ride back.

All up he’s won four from five when riding Shamrocker and her only loss was first up.

“This is an absolute thrill on my favourite track in front of my favourite people,” Boss said.

The Australian Oaks looks like the next big challenge for Shamrocker and given how well she beat the boys today she’ll be a massive hope against the girls if she runs in that event.