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Showing posts from 2012

Joseph O’Brien is a super star in the making

Epsom Derby-winning jockey Joseph O’Brien comes across as a young lad with his priorities firmly in place. Joseph arrived in India in the wee hours of Thursday but he showed his commitment to the profession by turning up for morning track work and was astride several horses. Later in the day he gave a peach of a ride to Pesi Shroff trained Shahenshah which he lost by a neck. Despite this being his first ride in India and in a crowded field, he nursed his horse brilliantly from the wide outside draw. He was beautifully balanced and in the final furlong when Shahenshah seemed to have shot his bolt, he goaded the horse to produce that bit extra before the horse lost in the final strides of the race being ring rusty. Surely his presence enlivened an otherwise drab day’s races.   The interest in Joseph is not because he is the son of Ireland’s most powerful trainer Aidan O’Brien and he rides for one of the biggest owners in the world. The boyish-looking jockey is a draw not only because

Aris David, a legendary trainer in Indian racing history

The death of Aris David on Sunday (April 8) brings to an end a glorious inning that was marked by incredible feats. The unassuming David was the first trainer in the country to record a century of classics. The remarkable results that he obtained from his horses despite racing them practically in every center in a matter of days are something no present trainer would dare to attempt.  In a career spanning about four decades, he won about 150 classics. Despite his glorious achievements he kept a low profile and carried his fame in a dignified way. He literally lived in the stables in a manner of speaking. .Turf baron Dr MA M Ramaswamy rated Aris David as the very best.  He should know because their association was legendary. Here is what Dr Ramaswamy had said about his association in an interview with Turfite magazine. The partnership had by then notched up close to 100 classics and 1000 winners. `` I treat Aris like a brother and friend and not like a professional hence there is a per

Martin Dwyer, one of a kind

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English jockey Martin Dwyer left a lasting impression on Indian race goers during a fruitful season in India. He struck great partnership with wonder filly In The Spotlight who won the Gr 1 Indian Derby like no other horse had done in the last two decades. Dwyer comes across as a friendly person, who has a fine grasp of his trade, instinctive rapport with the horses he rides besides being an excellent team man. It is no surprise that trainer Padmanabhan has reposed faith in this talented jockey for well over a decade. From the time he came to India as a young jockey and rode Running Flame to Indian 1000 Guineas victory in 1998 at Mumbai to the Gr 1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup win on In The Spotlight in March, the association with Padmanabhan has been fruitful. Martin has won six Group I races for the trainer. Martin’s big race temperament and his skills help a horse to bloom to full potential. Martin is one of the top jockeys in England and has the distinction of winning the Epsom Derby

Standoff should be resolved amicably

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The suspension of Pesi Shroff following his horse Eloise testing positive for boldenone last year and the subsequent happenings haven’t done the sport any good. The problem arose because the club was averse to check the feed supplement for contamination as requested by the professional and simply went by the rule book. The spirit behind the rule is to protect the integrity of the sport and not necessarily to punish the professionals. The term 'Vicarious responsibility' is being loosely used but this could turn out a double edged weapon because an extreme extension of this interpretation could make even the club liable for the supply of contaminated feed supplements. Narrow interpretation of rules and refusal to accept any contrary findings in good faith are the reasons why issues get complicated. Racing often gets relegated to the background because personal ego hassles outweigh racing considerations. The RWITC has in the past let off trainer H Daji after his horses tested posi

In The Spotlight proves as the very best

Capt. Jamshed Jimmy Appoo owned In The Spotlight confirmed her status as the best ever horse to have raced in India when she stamped her authority in no uncertain manner in the Gr 1 Indian Turf Invitation Cup, the event to decide the champion of champions on Sunday.   The Padmanabhan trainee, bred at the Poonawalla Stud Farm, has run over the trip of 2400 metres four times in the last three months and travelled over seven thousand kilometres by road before this race. Despite the entire ordeal and looking visibly tired, the champion filly won the race on her own terms. Jockey Martin Dwyer riding with great confidence planned every move in such a manner that the others were left chasing the shadow of the most overwhelming favourite in the history of this race. The filly had none of the complacency of a champion and emphatically stated that she is a champion who gets up and runs under any circumstance.   No horse in the history of Indian racing has won group races at five different cent

Brace up for an exciting weekend

Bangalore gets the privilege of hosting the Indian Turf Invitation Cup races over this weekend. The Indian Turf Invitation Cup weekend races are the most eagerly looked forward to event in the Indian Racing Calendar. The best performed horses in the country are nominated to participate in the race to decide the champion of champions. While the Indian Derby has unrivalled glamour, the Indian Turf Invitation Cup has held its own fascination for race horse owners and professionals as well. Great champions have enormous sense of pride. Horses and people who shape them to excel are driven to show the world and prove to themselves just how good they are. The tag that this race carries as being a champion of champions is what makes this race such a fascinating race. Each of the champions has his or her tale to tell of overcoming many a handicap in pursuit of glory. Champions are something special, with rare brilliance and last minute stamina, and an ability to be a little faster than the rest