B R Sharan Kumar

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...

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...

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 ...

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...