Rajan Bala, one of a rare kind

 Santissimo’s Derby quest: Can class outrun stamina?"

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

Pesi Shroff-trained Santissimo has built up an imposing reputation—so imposing that the Indian Derby might just need to roll out the red carpet in his honour. Of course, there’s a minor detail: the Derby’s mile-and-a-half trip is an unknown frontier. You know, the kind where class strides into the limelight but quietly whispers to stamina, "Don’t let me down."

 

Santissimo’s sire, Gusto, has a habit of producing impressively consistent sprinter-milers—think of them as Formula 1 cars that occasionally fancy a rally course. Yet, the stallion has surprised with two progeny, Evaldo and Knotty Legend, proving their worth over the Derby’s demanding trip. As for Santissimo, well, he hasn’t won beyond a mile yet but gave us a jaw-dropping clock-busting performance in a mock race over 2000 metres. Sure, it was a mock race where the pace is as scripted as a Bollywood climax.

 

Until the emergence of Ranquelino, who stormed to victory in the Bangalore Derby with such decisiveness it left critics muttering “time who?” Santissimo seemed destined to sweep the Derby on sheer class. But the Indian Derby is an entirely different beast—a chaotic cocktail of big fields, tight bends, and plenty of “hold-your-breath” moments. That first bend, which comes faster than a punter’s regrets, often turns into a jostling melee, with some horses running more for survival than glory. And let’s not forget the occasional wildcard entry—a horse making its Derby debut, seemingly unaware it’s supposed to have credentials.

 

Adding some spice to the mix are the final entries: Duke of Tuscany, the Golconda Derby winner; Psychic Star, the Indian Oaks heroine; African Gold, the Bangalore Colts Championship Stakes victor who hit an unexpected low in the Indian 2000 Guineas; and Regina Memorabilis, who finished behind Psychic Star in the Oaks. Not to forget Bangalore Derby winner Ranquelino. A diverse lineup, sure, but the Indian Derby is no democracy. It’s a meritocracy, where only the best truly emerges as kings (or queens) of the turf.

 

As the curtain rises on this grand spectacle on the traditional first Sunday of February, it’s clear that Santissimo and Ranquelino bring the right credentials. The million-dollar question, though, is simple: Will they rise to the occasion, or will the Indian Derby’s unforgiving stage devour yet another favourite? Whatever the outcome, the glamour, chaos, and heartbreak of the Derby are guaranteed—and isn’t that what makes this show the stuff of legends?

 

Santissimo may be a super star in the making, but his lone adventure beyond a mile came in the Pune Derby, where he was upstaged by Redefined—a result that likely had his connections reaching for their own "redefining" strategies. Sure, he had his excuses that day, but the question of whether he can truly stay the demanding Derby trip still lingers like a stubborn rumour at a racetrack.

 

Since that defeat, Santissimo has been meticulously kept away from longer distances, almost as if his connections were guarding a well-kept secret. The suspense has only heightened—can his brilliance shine when stamina, not just class, takes centre stage? After all, in the Indian Derby, class may get you a standing ovation, but stamina seals the deal. And as history has repeatedly shown, you can’t just swagger your way to glory here—you’ve got to earn it hoof by hoof.

 

As the anticipation builds for the Indian Derby, the entry of foreign jockeys promises to flip the script like a Bollywood thriller—where heroes, villains, and unexpected plot twists collide in an unforgettable spectacle. Oisin Murphy, the English maestro, may need more than his Midas touch to guide Santissimo across an uncharted battlefield. After all, being the best on paper doesn't guarantee a happily-ever-after, especially in a race where luck loves playing cruel pranks.

 

Pesi Shroff, assembling his own Avengers with Tom Marquand and Chris Lemaire, seems to have left no stone unturned. But while their résumés sparkle with class, Indian turf has a way of humbling even the finest imports. And then there’s Irishman Billy Lee, who must inspire African Gold to rediscover his lost form—because this Derby won't be won by reminiscing about past glories. As for David Allan, he faces a tough task aboard Golden Thunder, whose abundant stamina demands a race run to perfection in his favour.

 

The French maestro, Christophe Lemaire, returns to India’s racing scene like a visiting deity, and this time, he’s astride the battle-hardened Psychic Star—a filly who has already hoarded classics like a seasoned collector, boasting victories in the Golconda Guineas, Indian 1000 Guineas, and the Indian Oaks over a mile and a half. Lemaire’s wizardry first cast its spell in Bangalore when he piloted The Pelican to Invitation Cup glory, draped in the same silks. Since then, he has climbed the racing pantheon so high that his mere presence in the saddle might just convince Psychic Star that she, too, is capable of rewriting the script.

 

Meanwhile, enter Britain’s darling, Tom Marquand, perched atop another Pesi Shroff contender, Odysseus. The colt has stamina to spare, but whether he has the turn of foot to match is another story altogether. A slow burner, Odysseus seems to be playing the long game, and Marquand’s red-hot form on home soil certainly adds an air of intrigue. Respect is automatic when a top European jockey takes the reins, but Odysseus will need to find an extra gear—or perhaps an entirely new engine—if he wants to shake up this elite company.

 

 

Meanwhile, Duke of Tuscany arrives with staying prowess, but beating a less-than-stellar Golconda Derby field might not scare the elite in this gladiatorial contest. As for the dark horses, well, this is the Derby, where script rewrites are as common as heart-stopping finishes, and any long shot with a sense of drama could steal the spotlight.

 

History tells us that the Derby rarely plays by the rules. The best horse doesn’t always win, and favourites—despite recent dominance—still need a dollop of luck to back their talent. Santissimo and Ranquelino may have the edge on credentials, but we all know credentials are just suggestions in the chaos of a crowded field.

 

In the end, this promises to be more than just a horse race—it’s a test of grit, guile, and a good dose of galloping genius. The winner won’t just lift the trophy; they'll carry the weight of every thrill, twist, and heartbreak this extraordinary event delivers. So, buckle up for a Derby where the only certainty is uncertainty—and the champion, whoever they may be, will leave us all with something to celebrate.