Galahad Steals the Spotlight on Opening Day The Bangalore Winter Season finally kicked off — not with swagger, but with a government licence so temporary it could have been printed on cartridge paper from a roadside Xerox. The club now has just one month to nod obediently, agree to shift the racecourse, and file a joint memo to wrap up the Supreme Court case. Amid this bureaucratic ticking time bomb, Galahad at least delivered clarity by winning the day’s feature, the Rajyotsava Trophy, with authority. By Sharan Kumar The Bangalore Winter Season began because the Government finally waved the licence in like a ration coupon valid for only a month. The club must now spend these 30 days signing letters, affidavits, and joint memos promising to shift the racecourse and to close the case in the Supreme Court by getting consent from the Special General Body. Essentially racing with a noose in the parade ring and a stopwatch ticking in the Stewards’ Room. ...
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Racing in Trouble as Clubs and Governments Lock Horns Indian horse racing is reeling under a perfect storm, the government’s punitive 40% GST has drained its coffers, turf clubs are entangled in land feuds, and now disease scares threaten to finish what bureaucracy began. While visionaries like Zavaray Poonawalla keep the sport breathing, others seem intent on pulling the plug. From Bangalore’s boardrooms to Chennai’s crumbling tracks, Indian racing is running, quite literally, out of turf. By Sharan Kumar If Indian horse racing were a patient, it would currently be in the ICU, not for lack of pulse, but because the government insists on charging 40% GST on the IV drip. This absurd “sin tax” on betting has done what no rival turf club or rogue punter could ever manage, it’s crippled the sport financially and morally. The racing clubs, once vibrant citadels of sport and style, are now gasping for oxygen. If not for the philanthropic cavalry led b...
Miracle Star Scripts an Emotional Derby Finale By Sharan Kumar The Gr 1 Mysore Derby this year was not just another classic — it was a story written by destiny, drenched in emotion, and sealed with poetic justice. It was a race that transcended competition, becoming a moving tribute to one of Indian racing’s finest minds — the late S. Padmanabhan , whose life’s work with horses often bordered on the miraculous. Just a week before the Derby, Padmanabhan — lovingly known as Paddy — passed away, leaving behind unfinished plans and a filly he had meticulously readied for the big day. Despite her grief, his wife, Sharmila Padmanabhan , chose to honour his wish. She entered Miracle Star in the race, paying a hefty late-entry fee — not for glory, but because that’s what Paddy would have done. It was, in every sense, his final race — and fittingly, his horse ran like an angel guided by her master’s spirit. As the gates flew...
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...
T.J.S. George — A Giant Who Preferred the Shadows T.J.S. George, who passed away at the age of 97 on Friday, October 3, was a towering figure in Indian journalism — one who never sought the limelight that so often follows success. He preferred to remain in the background, letting his words, not his photograph, speak for him. As the founder-editor of Asiaweek , George’s contribution to journalism was immense and enduring. He inspired generations of journalists, not through lofty speeches or social charm, but through sheer professional brilliance and an unyielding demand for excellence. He was the Editorial Advisor of the New Indian Express for more than three decades T.J.S., as he was fondly known, was unlike any other editor. Stern, uncompromising, and exacting, he had little patience for mediocrity. Those who failed to meet his standards often found themselves reassigned—or quietly shown the door. Yet, for those who earned his respect, his regard...
RWITC Keeps Tradition Alive with Media Day at Pune By Sharan Kumar It was “Media Day” at Pune—yes, you read that right, the Royal Western India Turf Club actually remembered the media exists. A rare sight, considering most turf clubs treat reporters warmly only until someone dares to ask a question tougher than “How’s the buffet?” Newspaper coverage remains thinner than a jockey on a crash diet, but at least a couple of websites keep punters armed with the essentials: which horse is actually running and which favourite is about to scamper off with their money. In a sport where favourites rule the board, spotting the fake ones is the difference between walking away with a smile. The 1000 metres Racingpulse.in Trophy was about as shocking as a politician swearing innocence. Bezan Chenoy’s Etoile, who had come close last time, ticked every box and this time let Anthony Raj coast him home with minimal drama. Adonis tried to stir things up but ran out...
Punters Bled Dry While Turf Clubs Play Government By Sharan Kumar Indian turf clubs are perfecting the art of self-destruction. Instead of defending their sport, they’ve copied the government’s worst instinct—tax punters into oblivion—while ignoring illegal betting’s rapid rise. Entry fees soar, facilities crumble, and broadcast rights slip away. Tote revenues that once touched dizzying heights now limp along, while administrators chase champagne brunches over real reform. The result? Punters bled dry, clubs broke, and racing left gasping for breath. The latest gem: GST on racing hiked to 40 per cent. The turf clubs’ response? A collective shrug. No protest, no attempt to explain how this move would strangle legal betting and fatten the black market. Silence—because why disturb their own comfort zones? These are the same administrators who specialise in knee-jerk decisions, except when their perks are on the line. At the Royal Western I...
Why We Worship the Whip in Horse Racing? By Sharan Kumar In Indian racing, the whip is treated with more reverence than a temple bell. To punters, it is the magic wand that guarantees victory. To stewards, it is the measuring stick of effort. To many jockeys, it is their passport to safety—because heaven forbid you lose a close finish without brandishing it like a cavalry sword. The irony? The whip is not a miracle device. Once a horse is blowing hard and running on fumes, no amount of flailing can make it sprout an extra gear. As seasoned riders admit: “If he’s spent, he’s spent. No whip in the world can make him sprout wings.” Yet our officials cling to their contradictions. In one infamous case at a premier jurisdiction, a jockey was actually pulled up for failing to use the whip—in a race where whips weren’t even allowed! The Stipes, it seemed, simply wanted to score a point against a trainer whose pattern of running horses always c...