Haskell David, the gentle giant
One of India’s leading race horse trainers Haskell David passed away in Bangalore on Saturday after brief illness. Haskell was a gentle giant who made a big impact at Bangalore and Kolkata where he trained horses principally for Deepak Khaitan in the final decade of his career. Haskell was 87 years old.
David was known as a gentle soul and was kind and generous to a fault as jockey Robin Corner for whom he gave a leg up to start off his career put it. David won two Bangalore Summer Derbys during the time I came into racing through Astounding and Romantic Dancer. He also trained Aspirant which won the Calcutta Triple Crown. From the interactions I used to have with Haskell, he came across as a person with great wit and humor and full of anecdotes to keep the party table going. He and Aris David who was the first Indian trainer to saddle more than 100 classics always used to friendly dig at each other as to who is superior. Aris always said that since his name starts with A, he was superior. But Haskell had his own of getting back at Aris.
Haskell David was the product of Tollygunge Club at Kolkata. Those days, the club used to conduct amateur racing. Haskell was a owner, trainer and jockey. Md Shafiq who has since retired as a jockey is another who emerged from the Tollygunge Club amateur racing. Haskell was responsible for shaping the career of Robin Corner and Nick Bird among others. Both these jockeys rode for him as apprentices. Robin Corner is one of last breed of gentleman jockeys that we have seen. Robin was associated with the success of Ardilles who recorded back to back success in the Gr 1 Stayers Cup.
Haskell’s son Daniel David is now a successful trainer at Kolkata and trains exclusively for Turf Baron Dr M A M Ramaswamy. ``I am what I am because of my dad. I was very close to him. I have learnt a lot from him and I miss him tremendously,’’ said Daniel who was shattered by the death of his father. ``Dad was ailing for some time,’’ he added.
Trainer Vijay Singh who has been a champion trainer several times at Kolkata said that Haskell was a senior professional whom he looked up to for guidance. He was a kind-hearted person. I learnt quite a few skills of the trade from him,’’ he added.
Haskell David kept away from racing in the last several years due to health issues. But despite his advancing years, he always drove his favourite Ambassador car to race courses. Before he quit the sport, he had ensured a smooth transition and was instrumental in the successful launch of his son as a trainer at Kolkata.
Chairman of Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cyrus Madan said that the passing away of Haskell David brings to an end one of the glorious chapters of Kolkata racing. ``For long, Haskell was the face of Kolkata racing. One minute silence will be observed before the start of racing on Sunday at Kolkata and the professionals will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect. The RCTC has also framed a race called Haskell David Memorial Cup on November 28 which is also the day the Guineas is held at Kolkata.’’
David was known as a gentle soul and was kind and generous to a fault as jockey Robin Corner for whom he gave a leg up to start off his career put it. David won two Bangalore Summer Derbys during the time I came into racing through Astounding and Romantic Dancer. He also trained Aspirant which won the Calcutta Triple Crown. From the interactions I used to have with Haskell, he came across as a person with great wit and humor and full of anecdotes to keep the party table going. He and Aris David who was the first Indian trainer to saddle more than 100 classics always used to friendly dig at each other as to who is superior. Aris always said that since his name starts with A, he was superior. But Haskell had his own of getting back at Aris.
Haskell David was the product of Tollygunge Club at Kolkata. Those days, the club used to conduct amateur racing. Haskell was a owner, trainer and jockey. Md Shafiq who has since retired as a jockey is another who emerged from the Tollygunge Club amateur racing. Haskell was responsible for shaping the career of Robin Corner and Nick Bird among others. Both these jockeys rode for him as apprentices. Robin Corner is one of last breed of gentleman jockeys that we have seen. Robin was associated with the success of Ardilles who recorded back to back success in the Gr 1 Stayers Cup.
Haskell’s son Daniel David is now a successful trainer at Kolkata and trains exclusively for Turf Baron Dr M A M Ramaswamy. ``I am what I am because of my dad. I was very close to him. I have learnt a lot from him and I miss him tremendously,’’ said Daniel who was shattered by the death of his father. ``Dad was ailing for some time,’’ he added.
Trainer Vijay Singh who has been a champion trainer several times at Kolkata said that Haskell was a senior professional whom he looked up to for guidance. He was a kind-hearted person. I learnt quite a few skills of the trade from him,’’ he added.
Haskell David kept away from racing in the last several years due to health issues. But despite his advancing years, he always drove his favourite Ambassador car to race courses. Before he quit the sport, he had ensured a smooth transition and was instrumental in the successful launch of his son as a trainer at Kolkata.
Chairman of Royal Calcutta Turf Club Cyrus Madan said that the passing away of Haskell David brings to an end one of the glorious chapters of Kolkata racing. ``For long, Haskell was the face of Kolkata racing. One minute silence will be observed before the start of racing on Sunday at Kolkata and the professionals will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect. The RCTC has also framed a race called Haskell David Memorial Cup on November 28 which is also the day the Guineas is held at Kolkata.’’
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