B R Sharan Kumar

  BTC is in dire need of leadership amidst critical times   By Sharan Kumar Once graced by the titans of yore, the Bangalore Turf Club now finds itself in the clutches of one Aravind Raghavan, the self-proclaimed master of chaos. Picture this: Raghavan, the maestro of mayhem, orchestrating strikes like a maestro conducting a symphony, culminating in Derby's cancellation – a feat never before seen in the annals of racing history. It's baffling that someone like Raghavan, whose avowed mission was the club's demise, could ascend to the chairmanship. He denigrated club members until he joined the ranks and now, incredulously, holds a permanent invitation from the Turf Authorities of India. Moreover, he has no qualms about fostering illegal betting, and courting sponsorship from illicit platforms, thus jeopardizing legal betting operations. The Bangalore Winter Season draws to a close, marred by poor stiping and rank bad decisions. Instead of upholding the integrity of

 Hilarious Odyssey Through Hoops, Hurdles, and Horseplay   By Storm Again     So, you want to become a member of the Bangalore Turf Club, huh? Buckle up for a ride wilder than a racehorse on espresso! First off, if you aren’t born into one of those fancy-schmancy families already in the club, get ready for a quest that makes Frodo's journey to Mordor look like a walk in the park.   You'll need to scale mountains of hurdles, endure enough humiliation to make a reality TV star blush, and beg for votes like a politician during election season. Oh, and don't forget to butter up some existing members with gifts, whether it's booze or cold hard cash – their preference varies, but their arrogance stays constant.   And hosting a shindig? Better have the right snacks from the right hotels, or you'll be out on your derrière faster than you can say "canapé catastrophe."   Then comes the grand finale – the interview. They'll grill you like a

  Nari Contractor: From cricketing courage to racing resilience   By Sharan Kumar   Celebrating his 90th birthday, the legendary former Indian cricket captain, Nari Contractor, stands as a beacon of courage and resilience. Renowned for his daring strokes on the cricket field, Contractor's journey took a dramatic turn when a thunderous bouncer from West Indian speedster Griffith struck him square on the head during India's tour of the West Indies in 1962. In the backdrop of primitive medical facilities in the year, Contractor's survival was nothing short of miraculous. The cricketing fraternity rallied around him, with luminaries like West Indian skipper Frank Worrell, alongside Chandu Borde, Bapu Nadkarni, Poli Umrigar, and journalist K N Prabhu, donating blood to sustain him during his six-day unconscious state.   Despite his courageous return to first-class cricket after the harrowing injury, Nari Contractor's heart harboured a lingering regret: the unfulf

   Revived and ready RCTC set to defy odds By Sharan Kumar The Royal Calcutta Turf Club will host the prestigious HPSL Gr 1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup, regarded as the champion of champions event in the Indian Racing Calendar. Despite facing existential challenges at the onset of last year, including delayed monsoon season due to various issues, the club has remarkably recovered. Initially uncertain about hosting the Invitation Cup weekend races due to significant expenses, the club has displayed remarkable resilience. Now, they are orchestrating what promises to be an extravagant week of racing, ensuring a memorable experience for racing enthusiasts both on and off the track. Known for their generosity and hospitality, the RCTC has always been accommodating to the needs of all segments of the racing community. Led by RCTC Chairman Sudipto Sarkar, Racing Operations Chairman Enrico Piperno, and CEO Amit Chaturvedi, along with their dedicated team, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club ha

  History-making Yash and Malesh .secure Indian Derby Glory By  Sharan Kumar Jockey Yash Narredu, alongside his father Malesh Narredu, etched a significant chapter in the annals of Indian racing history, emerging as the first father-and-son duo to conquer the prestigious Gr 1 HPSL Indian Derby. The grand spectacle unfolded at Mahalakshmi on a Sunday, drawing an appreciative and colossal crowd. Enabler, with an incident-free lead-up to the race, lived up to the high expectations placed upon him. In a riveting display, he clinched a captivating victory over Synthesis and Jamari in the race's climactic moments. Yash Narredu, achieving success in the Indian Derby, and his father Malesh Narredu, a former jockey and trainer who had previously triumphed in the race, celebrated a dual triumph. This victory marked Malesh Narredu's second Indian Derby success as a trainer. Termed as the year of Narredu domination of Indian racing, Enabler's triumph aligned seamlessly with the extende

  Excitement builds as elite contenders vie for glory The Grade 1 HPSL Indian Derby, the pinnacle event in the Indian Racing Calendar, has attracted a field of top contenders. Among them are individual Derby winners from various centers, including Enabler, Synthesis, Jamari besides the emerging sensation Jendayi. Despite Jendayi' s relative lack of experience in the elite league, expectations are high for her performance in the Derby. The Indian Derby has a history of producing unexpected results, and the presence of many ordinary performers against elite horses further heightens the anticipation of unpredictable outcomes.   By Sharan Kumar The Grade 1 HPSL Indian Derby, the pinnacle event in the Indian Racing Calendar, has attracted a field of top contenders. Among them are individual Derby winners from various centers, including Enabler, Synthesis, Jamari besides the emerging sensation Jendayi. Despite Jendayi's relative lack of experience in the elite league, expectations ar