B R Sharan Kumar

English poet T S Eliot had pointed out that tolerance is the responsibility of those with wider vision. Perhaps this might well have helped resolve the crisis caused by Bangalore Turf Club’s new set of rules which some in the committee were hell bent on pushing through. These moves were aggressively resisted by the Karnataka Racehorse Owners Association and Karnataka Trainers Association, threatening to disrupt yet again the prompt start of the Bangalore Summer Season scheduled for Saturday, May 14. The acrimonious exchanges that happened in the Stewards room a week before was just short of getting much more than verbal. Given the grave nature of the happenings, the quick resolution to the problem, with the turf club agreeing to restore status quo in all respects must be hailed as a pressure exerted by the sensible few among members of the club. The reversal was also a big blow to the Managing Committee of the Bangalore Turf Club which has time and again has tried to force issues wit...

The death of Glory of Dancer on Wednesday in a freak accident at Nanoli Stud Farm is a big blow to Indian racing. The 21-year old son of Shareef Dancer had proved his credentials as a stallion of outstanding merit by siring champions with amazing regularity. Although he began modestly at the Bangalore based Kehelan Stud Farm, Glory of Dancer came into full bloom once he was moved to the premises of Nanoli Stud Farm. The progeny of Glory of Dancer proved their class by winning the major races in the country with amazing regularity. Glory of Dancer also sired back to back Indian Derby winners through Hotstepper and Antonios. Glory of Dancer also helped lift the profile Nanoli Stud Farm. His death in tragic circumstances has come as a big blow to the stud farm as he seemed to be in pink of health. This year’s Indian 2000 Guineas winner Beautiful Stranger was sired by him. Beautiful Stranger incidentally is also the winner of the coveted juvenile race in the country, the Gr 1 Poonawalla Br...

The Supreme Court has posted BTC’s Special Leave Petition for July 19 following the government of Karnataka pressing for an early hearing. It may be recalled that BTC had gone to High Court against cancellation of lease deed by the government and it had challenged the same in the court contending that the land rightfully belonged to them by way of grant for the exclusive purpose of running racing activities only. The High Court however rejected BTC’s contention and ordered the club to vacate its premises by September last year. The BTC approached Supreme Court last July with a Special Leave Petition. Suspense now rules till such time Supreme Court decides one way or the other. The matter was partly heard by a division bench of the Supreme Court last year. Thereafter it was posted before the registry for scrutiny of documents. The matter dragged as the government and the turf club had been asked by the court to submit whatever supplementary documents that they wished to place before t...