B R Sharan Kumar

  Permanent Invitee Status should go to the deserving   By Sharan Kumar   The Indian Turf Invitation Cup weekend—just a fortnight away, and along with the races, we get the much-anticipated tradition of nominating a worthy soul to the Hall of Fame. Now, in an ideal world, this honour would go to someone with undeniable charisma, a significant contribution to the sport, and the ability to elevate horse racing through sheer influence. But, as we all know, ideals are for dreamers.   Historically, even politicians—those with a “keen interest” in the sport—have managed to worm their way into the Hall of Fame, thanks to their “invaluable” knack for rubbing elbows with the government. Case in point: the Bangalore Turf Club once decided to honour actor-turned-politician Ambareesh. His dominating presence and political muscle certainly proved useful for the club, not to mention his enthusiastic participation in the races, his horse ownership, and the extra glamour...

  Stewards display a sea of cluelessness   By Sharan Kumar   The last race of the day at Bangalore on Friday was quite the spectacle—though not for reasons one might expect from an actual horse race. Oxytocin, a horse with a track record of  miraculously  avoiding scrutiny despite her dubious past performances, finally won a race. However, the victory came with a side of chaos, courtesy of jockey Ramu, who appeared to be riding on the assumption that steering was optional. He gleefully cut across half the field, tightening up a group of unsuspecting jockeys on the inside, creating a situation that could have resulted in a pile-up worthy of a demolition derby.     Fortunately, the unfortunate victims of this reckless manoeuvre were seasoned jockeys with reflexes sharper than the Stewards’ understanding of their own rulebook. They somehow managed to stay upright, preventing a disaster that could have turned the track into an emergency room....

  Importance of Promoting the Sport   By Sharan Kumar   Indian racing authorities have long struggled to promote the sport effectively. Many prefer the status quo, resisting change even as attendance dwindles and racing quality deteriorates under the influence of betting syndicates. Clubs like the Bangalore Turf Club are particularly adept at making racegoers feel unwelcome, imposing unreasonable restrictions while offering subpar facilities despite charging exorbitant entry fees. Apart from the Derby, which draws crowds due to its inherent prestige, most clubs have failed to attract new patrons, leading to a stagnant, ageing audience and a declining sport.   In contrast, the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) at least makes an effort to promote its events, particularly the Indian Derby. And what an event it is! The Indian Derby is not just a race; it’s a spectacle, an annual parade of high fashion, high stakes, and, occasionally, high drama. It’s th...

Oisin Murphy: A Jockey at Heart, An Adventurer by Passion   By Sharan Kumar It was an absolute privilege to chat with Oisin Murphy, the English champion jockey who’s already racked up four championship titles before hitting his thirties. Seriously, what’s next? This guy’s done it all – and in four languages to boot! Irish, English, French, and German – if you ever need a translator who’s won races on four continents, Oisin's your guy. A true gentleman, he gladly answered every question, despite his superstar status which could’ve made him act too busy for it. But Oisin stayed humble. Of course, fame came with its challenges. Achieving legendary status that early means you’re under the spotlight 24/7, and Oisin found himself weighed down by the heavy expectations – leading to a few off-track infractions. A couple of suspensions here, a few questionable decisions there – the usual stuff when you're too busy being a global sensation. But here’s where it gets interesting – Oisin...

  Ranquelino triumphs in chaotic Indian Derby   By Sharan Kumar   If you were expecting a textbook Derby where class, pedigree, and logic prevailed—well, think again. The Gr 1 HPSL Indian Derby at Mahalakshmi on Sunday turned into a chaotic spectacle that could give a Shakespearean tragedy a run for its money. The only thing that didn’t defy expectations was Bangalore Derby winner Ranquelino, bred at the Shapoor Mistry owned Manjri Stud Farm, who strutted onto the stage, unfazed by a gruelling one-week turnaround, and coolly picked off his rivals as if they were practice cones on a morning gallop.   Pesi Shroff’s Santissimo was widely regarded as the most talented horse in the race, but his stamina was a major concern. As the son of Gusto, a sire known more for speed than endurance, he had never run the Derby distance before. That concern proved valid as he struggled to stay the course when the race took an unexpected turn.   Expectations of a cl...