B R Sharan Kumar

  Where Class Meets Craft with a dash of Old-World Charm   By Sharan Kumar   The Mysore Derby isn’t just a race — it’s tradition meeting thrill under royal skies. As the city glows with Dasara splendour, the Mysore Race Club rolls out a spectacular Derby week, blending top-class racing with regal flair. With Red Bishop, Miracle Star, and Maana primed for a fierce showdown — and Derby Nite adding its own sparkle — Mysore once again proves it knows how to throw a celebration on turf. The Mysore Derby has long been more than just another classic; it’s a glimpse into the future of racing greatness. History bears witness — Elusive Pimpernel and Desert God used this very stage as a launchpad to national glory going on to win the Indian Derby and the Invitation Cup. When the gates fly open this Sunday, remember — legends often begin their gallop here.   This year’s edition promises fireworks. Pesi Shroff’s Red Bishop , who came agonisingly close to taking the De...

  The Mastermind Who Rewrote Indian Racing’s Script   By Sharan Kumar   One of India’s most accomplished and intellectually gifted racehorse trainers, Sadakshara Reuben Padmanabhan (71), passed away in Bengaluru on Sunday, (October 19 at 8 a.m.) after a valiant battle with illness. Fondly known as Paddy, he was a self-made man whose integrity, brilliance, and determination made him a towering figure in Indian racing. A relentless fighter on and off the turf, Padmanabhan’s legacy of excellence, courage, and principle will endure long after his final race. He rose from scratch to the very summit of Indian racing inspiring confidence of the racing fraternity.   Padmanabhan belonged to an elite league — one of only three trainers in India to have saddled over 100 Classic winners, the others being the late Rashid Byramji and the late Aris David. His rise to greatness came relatively late, but once the floodgates opened, there was simply no stopping him. Even w...

  A Pint-Sized Genius: Remembering Aslam Kader   By Sharan Kumar   Former champion jockey  Aslam Kader , one of Indian racing’s brightest and most mercurial talents, passed away in Bangalore on Thursday after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. He was 63   To describe Aslam merely as one of India’s finest jockeys would be an understatement. He was a phenomenon — a pint-sized genius who ruled the turf with a blend of grace and aggression rarely seen before or since. Known for his electric finishes and daring race sense, he dazzled racegoers in  Bangalore, Mumbai, and Kolkata , and other centres where his name became synonymous with excellence in the saddle.   Nicknamed  “AK-47”  — for  Aslam Kader  and the  47 kilograms  that remained his steady weight throughout his career — his winners came in volleys, often leaving rivals shell-shocked. His record of  77 winners in a single Mumbai season  remai...

  Favourites Falter on a Fierce Derby Day   By Sharan Kumar   If Derby Day at Hyderabad was supposed to be the punters’ paradise, it turned instead into their subscription to despair. The so-called “on-money certainties” folded faster than umbrellas after a drizzle, while longshots danced away with the spoils. Still, amid the chaos and crushed tickets, Donald Netto’s Nonpariel stood tall — and true to her name, proved simply without equal.   The Turf Authorities of India Cup (1400m) for the elite lot turned into Nonpariel’s personal exhibition gallop. The Dali progeny, carrying apprentice Sonu Kumar who rode with calm assurance, looked in total command — well, except for that fleeting moment in the final furlong when Diablo threatened to play spoilsport. The front-runner briefly shook off Nonpariel and looked home free until he decided to drift. Sonu needed no second invitation — he straightened his mount, pressed the button, and Nonpariel responded...

  Mountain Jewel Stuns Favourite in Derby Thriller   By Sharan Kumar   Jockey Anthony Raj seems to be galloping faster than the inflation rate these days. The man can’t stop winning. From Mysore to Hyderabad, he’s been on a first-name basis with the winning post. His latest conquest — the Gr.1 Race2win Foundation Hyderabad Deccan Derby on Sunday at Malakpet aboard Prasanna Kumar-trained Mountain Jewel — only added another gem to his crown.   On paper, Mountain Jewel was the “lesser fancied runner.” On the track, she was a rebel with a cause. When the gates opened, Matisse wasted no time proving that running wasn’t on his to-do list, unseating Kritish Bhagat almost as soon as the gates opened. Mindful took over the lead (perhaps mindful that someone had to), followed by Northern Waves , with Andre , Tolkien , Knight Regent , Super Star , Term Deposit , Red Bishop , Arrived , and finally Mountain Jewel bringing up the rear.   As they swung into ...

  Sandesh in Command with Five-Win Blitz   By Sharan Kumar   Racing these days seems to have misplaced its competitive spark. One-sided affairs are becoming the norm, and though favourites continue to rule the roost, their odds are so miserly that even a single upset leaves punters nursing their losses — a situation worsened by the punitive 40 per cent GST. With expensive entry tickets and little adrenaline left to savour, the ordinary racegoer is left more frustrated than thrilled. It’s time the authorities examined why the sport’s edge is dulling — perhaps the handicapping system needs a rethink to revive excitement and unpredictability.   Saturday’s Pune card was a perfect illustration of the trend. Leading jockey A Sandesh had a day out, booting home five winners — most of them virtual processions. The only relief came in the Gr 3 Threptin Fillies & Mares Stakes , where long shot Regina Memorabilis upset the market leaders Psychic Star and Tha...