An impeccably bred gelding who failed to make his mark on the track shone brightly in the dressage ring on Saturday.

Ajax Again defeated a quality field to claim the third annual Standardbred Derby, staged as a feature of the Hygain Tatura Dressage Classic and Spring Showcase.

Bred at the O’Donoghue family’s Morley Park, the 11-year-old is an Art Major half brother to nine winners including former star juvenile Staccato (13 wins, $393,000) and the last foal from broodmare gem Ailsa.

Ailsa is also the dam of Deep Diver, an accomplished racetrack performer who was the benchmark for standardbreds in the show and competitive ring in Victoria after retirement for many seasons.

Ajax Again showed talent in harness but recurring tendon problems forced his transition into a second career under saddle in the care of Emily Larcombe.

Emily worked with and regularly drove the horse affectionately known as Billy while in race training and has been passionate in her commitment to his retraining.

That passion was rewarded at the weekend when he achieved a brilliant dressage score of 73 percent under the guidance of rider Jessical Dertell to claim the prestigious event.

The Standardbred Derby is unique in that the competitors are randomly allocated a professional dressage rider who have less than an hour to get to know their horse before presenting a test before the judge.

The competition was the brainchild of event organizer Sue Terry, a dedicated standardbred life after racing supporter who has worked tirelessly to promote the breed in dressage circles.

Stephen and Anne O’Donoghue were on hand to see Ajax Again in action and glowing in their praise of his new owner.

“Emily is just a beautiful girl and the best worker we could possible ask for at our stables,” Stephen said.

“She has grown so much in confidence and as a person since she came to us and much of the credit for that goes to the horses, and this horse in particular,” he explained.

“She has done a beautiful job with Billy and deserves every success that comes her way.”

The Harness Racing Victoria HERO Program was a sponsorship supporter of the 2021 Standardbred Derby and two of the Program’s equine ambassador team - Im The Boss and Kasbah Kid - both competed.

A 16-time race winner before retiring prematurely due to a minor tendon issue, Kasbah Kid impressed in his first public appearance since commencing his retraining journey, handling the occasion with ease and producing a consistent test to finish fourth for rider Melanie Ford.

* Picture (top): 2021 Hygain Tatura Dressage Classic and Spring Championship Standardbred Derby winner Ajax Again with owner Emily Larcombe (left), breeders Stephen and Anne O'Donoghue and rider Jessical Dertell.

* Picture (above): Ajax Again and Jessical Dertell. Credit: Jodie Bilney.

2021 Hygain Tatura Dressage Classic and Spring Showcase Standardbred Derby results:

1. Ajax Again (Jessica Dertell) 2010 gelding by Art Major. Unraced. Retrained by Emily Larcombe

2. Face Painter (Javais Ham) 2004 gelding by Artiscape. 11 starts, 1 win. $6388. Retrained by Dona McQueen

3. Heza Prince – Prince- (Justin Hocking) 2007 gelding by Life Sign. 93 starts, 23 wins, $183,658. Retrained by Kathy Delai

4. Kasbah Kid – Hollis - (Melanie Ford) 2014 gelding by Art Major. 62 starts, 16 wins. $185,520. Retrained by Fox Equestrian

5. Im The Boss – Boss - (Katrina Bomat) 2011 gelding by Major In Art. 91 starts, 19 wins. $238,683. Retrained by Fox Equestrian