LEVERAGED BUYOUT SEALS THE DEAL IN THE NT DERBY

By Graham Potter | Saturday, July 18, 2026

The Dick Leech trained Leveraged Buyout won the $150 000 NT Derby, contested over 2050m, like a $1.65 favourite should when he stormed home, asserting his authority over the closing stages to score a little bit more comfortably than the official margin of just under a length suggests.

The win completed a notable Darwin Guineas / NT Derby for the son of Dundeel, who was ridden by Jade Hampson on both occasions.

Leveraged Buyout had romped home in the Darwin Guineas, taking no prisoners in a 4.80 length victory and, while he had to do more this time … after coming from midfield and being produced five wide, close to the leading line on the point of the home turn … Leveraged Buyout basically had the race under control once Hampson asked him to extend in the home straight.

Leveraged Buyout’s acceleration quickly carried him to the head of affairs with 200m left to run.

Garrix ($21), who had slipped through a narrow gap along the inside running rail, chased Leveraged Buyout gamely but he could not bridge the gap.

Garrix ultimately had to settle for third place as another $21 chance Crazy Town came out of the pack, finishing strongly to get within 0.97 lengths of Leveraged Buyout to claim a creditable second place without ever looking like he would reverse the result.

Leveraged Buyout is now a six-time winner from seventeen starts who also has four runner-up finishes to his credit.

More specifically, Leveraged Buyout, who scored one win in nine starts before being transferred from Anthony and Sam Freedman stable, has now raced eight times for the Leech stable … winning no less than five times and finishing second twice.

In his career to date, Leveraged Buyout has earned $317 905 in prize-money.