Jacqueline, one of a rare kind
Pesi Shroff trained champion filly Jacqueline has been retired and will probably be covered by Glory of Dancer later this month. Jacqueline who became the only horse in Indian racing history to win four Indian classics including the Indian Derby had a distinguished racing career, having been beaten only thrice in her career. The six outings that she had on the hard Mumbai track during the ongoing season and the energy sapping races in the Derby and the Invitation Cup perhaps took its toll on the queen filly whose joints flared up joints after an epic battle with Becket.
``The only target that we had set for Jacqueline was St Leger and since she will not be ready by that time, we decided to retire her from racing. She has given us immense pleasure by her exploits on the track,’’ said Vijay Shirke who owns the wonder filly in partnership with Khushroo Dhunjibhoy and Berjis Minoo Desai. Jacqueline deserves an affectionate farewell as she embarks on a new career in the stud.
``I always thought I had a champion in my yard the day Jacqueline set foot on the track. She was something special. She had a wonderful temperament and was an intelligent horse who knew what was expected of her. She had her share of niggles but carved a unique place in Indian racing history by winning the dual Indian Guineas, the Oaks and the Indian Derby. She gave her heart out in the Invitation Cup which lost in the closing stride of the race to Becket. She was unfortunate not to have won the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby’’, said Pesi Shroff, talking eloquently about Jacqueline who provided him the coveted Derby which he had narrowly missed winning with Set Alight last year. Pesi Shroff is the only professional to have won the Indian Derby, both as a jockey and as a trainer.
``Jacqueline has given us abundant joy by her amazing performance. She is the best horse I have owned. She was blessed with perfect racing temperament. She gave 100 per cent each time she went on the track. She was the uncomplaining type who never threw tantrums. Our visit to the stable would start with Jacqueline. I am sure we will feel the void for sometime to come whenever we visit the stables,’’ said Khushroo Dhunjibhoy.
``There is a possibility that Jacqueline may be sent abroad to be covered in USA as the quarantine regulations are less severe. However, for this to happen, things should fall in place in the next one week failing which she will be covered by Glory of Dancer who is standing at the Nanoli Stud Farm,’’ added Khushroo.
The soft spoken Berjis Desai had always led in Jacqueline with great delight. ``She was a wonderful horse and has given me the pleasure of winning the most coveted races in the country,’’ Berjis said.
The hard Mumbai track is unforgiving on those who perform at the highest level. Jacqueline has had six starts during the season and each time, she rose to the occasion and gave off her best. After the Invitation Cup, her joints were swollen up and hastened the decision of the connections to retire the filly to the stud as she is bound to invaluable as a broodmare. Jacqueline also enjoys the distinction of being the first Indian horse to cross the Rs 3 crores barrier.
Jacqueline will surely go down in the history as one of the best horses to have raced on the Indian tracks. The Indian St Leger on March 28 will be poorer due to her absence. There will be no tie-breaker to decide who the better horse was: Jacqueline or Becket. The one-all result perhaps does adequate justice to the two giants of Indian racing.
Both Jacqueline and Becket were bred at Sohna Stud Farm.
``The only target that we had set for Jacqueline was St Leger and since she will not be ready by that time, we decided to retire her from racing. She has given us immense pleasure by her exploits on the track,’’ said Vijay Shirke who owns the wonder filly in partnership with Khushroo Dhunjibhoy and Berjis Minoo Desai. Jacqueline deserves an affectionate farewell as she embarks on a new career in the stud.
``I always thought I had a champion in my yard the day Jacqueline set foot on the track. She was something special. She had a wonderful temperament and was an intelligent horse who knew what was expected of her. She had her share of niggles but carved a unique place in Indian racing history by winning the dual Indian Guineas, the Oaks and the Indian Derby. She gave her heart out in the Invitation Cup which lost in the closing stride of the race to Becket. She was unfortunate not to have won the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby’’, said Pesi Shroff, talking eloquently about Jacqueline who provided him the coveted Derby which he had narrowly missed winning with Set Alight last year. Pesi Shroff is the only professional to have won the Indian Derby, both as a jockey and as a trainer.
``Jacqueline has given us abundant joy by her amazing performance. She is the best horse I have owned. She was blessed with perfect racing temperament. She gave 100 per cent each time she went on the track. She was the uncomplaining type who never threw tantrums. Our visit to the stable would start with Jacqueline. I am sure we will feel the void for sometime to come whenever we visit the stables,’’ said Khushroo Dhunjibhoy.
``There is a possibility that Jacqueline may be sent abroad to be covered in USA as the quarantine regulations are less severe. However, for this to happen, things should fall in place in the next one week failing which she will be covered by Glory of Dancer who is standing at the Nanoli Stud Farm,’’ added Khushroo.
The soft spoken Berjis Desai had always led in Jacqueline with great delight. ``She was a wonderful horse and has given me the pleasure of winning the most coveted races in the country,’’ Berjis said.
The hard Mumbai track is unforgiving on those who perform at the highest level. Jacqueline has had six starts during the season and each time, she rose to the occasion and gave off her best. After the Invitation Cup, her joints were swollen up and hastened the decision of the connections to retire the filly to the stud as she is bound to invaluable as a broodmare. Jacqueline also enjoys the distinction of being the first Indian horse to cross the Rs 3 crores barrier.
Jacqueline will surely go down in the history as one of the best horses to have raced on the Indian tracks. The Indian St Leger on March 28 will be poorer due to her absence. There will be no tie-breaker to decide who the better horse was: Jacqueline or Becket. The one-all result perhaps does adequate justice to the two giants of Indian racing.
Both Jacqueline and Becket were bred at Sohna Stud Farm.
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