Trainer Prasad Raju Joins 1,000-Win Club

 

By Tippu Sultan

 

Monday’s Hyderabad races will be etched in local turf history as the day trainer K S V Prasad Raju joined the elite club of Indian trainers to have saddled 1,000 career winners. The remarkable milestone was achieved in style when Sangreal, the firm favourite in the concluding race of the day, obliged with a commanding win—fittingly ridden by none other than Suraj Narredu, a long-time ally in Raju’s training journey.

 

What made the day even more special was that Prasad Raju saddled a treble, all piloted by Suraj, highlighting a partnership that has delivered countless winners over the years. With this feat, Raju joins fellow Hyderabad veterans Leo D’Silva, Donald Netto  and Vittal Deshmukh in the rarefied 1,000-win club.

 

Prasad Raju’s career, once considered solid but understated, surged in stature over the last two decades as he began receiving better quality horses. His crowning moment came with Lady In Lace, who won him the Pune Derby and the Indian 1000 Guineas, elevating him to the big league. Ever since, Raju has been a reliable mainstay among Hyderabad’s top professionals, and Racingpulse salutes him for this landmark achievement.

 

Elated after reaching the coveted 1,000-win milestone, Prasad Raju said he now plans to adopt a more focused, quality-driven approach for the next phase of his career.

 

“I plan to restrict the number of horses in my stable and concentrate on quality over quantity,” said the Hyderabad-based veteran, who dominated the local scene as champion trainer for four consecutive winter seasons starting in 2007. “The competition has intensified, with many good horses emerging from stud farms across the country. To stay ahead, you must fight your battles on the racetrack—not behind the scenes trying to get your horse ready.”

 

Prasad Raju credited much of his success to the steadfast support of racehorse owners, whose trust he said had been pivotal in reaching the 1,000-win milestone. The landmark was made all the more special with Suraj Narredu in the saddle for all three of his winners on Monday, including the historic strike by Sangreal.

 

“Suraj has been a long-time associate and a key part of my journey,” said Raju. “I’m absolutely thrilled that he was aboard for the milestone win—each of them scored with authority.”

 

Reflecting on his standout performers, Raju picked Lady In Lace as the defining horse of his career. “She gave me recognition beyond Hyderabad, especially after her Pune Derby and Indian 1000 Guineas wins. Another special filly was Ruby Queen, who captured both the Golconda 1000 Guineas and Golconda Oaks.”

 

“In recent times, I’ve been fortunate to have the backing of supportive owners and talented horses, which has allowed me to stay focused purely on winning. Going forward, I aim to make the post-1,000 win phase more rewarding—with a clear emphasis on quality horses and success in premier races,” he concluded with quiet determination.

 

Away from the celebratory tone, the day's highest-rated race, the 1400 metres Anab E Shahi Plate, threw up a gripping contest in its upper division. Veteran campaigner Ashoka dug deep to deny the favourite Lashka in a neck-and-neck battle. Lashka loomed up like a winner inside the final furlong, but K Mukesh Kumar coaxed one last surge from Ashoka, who clung on bravely. NRI Superpower, unlucky to be cramped for room, was an eye-catching third.

 

Hilton Sequeira’s Bangalore-hardened Star of Night used his superior race fitness to overhaul High Command in the final strides. High Command, who had attempted pillar-to-post tactics, couldn’t hold off the late surge by Ajay Kumar aboard the favourite, who despite drifting out under pressure, got the job done. Siddharth fended off Black Onyx for minor honours.

 

Having flattered only to deceive at Bangalore, Berrettini rediscovered his local form in the 1200 metres Hyderabad Plate, a terms race. Sai Kumar timed his challenge to perfection as Berrettini devoured ground in the final furlong to sail past Proud Mary. Reigning Beauty came with a late rattle to finish a close second, while Proud Mary stayed on to finish third.

 

Divine Secret, a credible third behind Flights of Fancy at Bangalore, had the form and fitness edge in the 1200 metres Kothagudem Plate for maidens. The filly, trained by Kiran Rao and ridden by B R Kumar, took charge at the top of the straight and galloped clear, justifying her cramped odds. State Man ran on late to finish second, ahead of the pacesetter Tootsie Darling.

 

Miss Smiley Angel Surprises Diablo

Trainer Prasad Raju’s Diablo, already a Bangalore-return winner, was fancied to repeat in the P M Bokawala Memorial Cup (Div II). The front-runner appeared to have the race in his grasp until Miss Smiley Angel, who also benefitted from her Bangalore stint, produced a late burst under Mukesh Kumar to win going away. Clara ran on to grab third.

The upper division saw Cherie Chevalier, also from Prasad Raju’s yard, make a mockery of her rivals under a confident ride from Suraj Narredu. Newfound Glory beat Krystallos in the fight for second, but the winner was in a different league altogether.

 

Racing Ruler Romps in a Procession

The Falknuma Cup saw another demolition job from Prasad Raju’s string. Racing Ruler, a seemingly innocuous performer at Bangalore, turned giant slayer back home, bolting home by a street under Suraj Narredu for the trainer’s second winner of the day. Peppi and Perfect Light trailed in a distant second and third.

 

Classy Dame Adds an Upset for Satheesh

Trainer Sathish maintained his knack for springing a surprise as Classy Dame, ridden by Abhay Singh, got the better of Swiss Girl and held off the late-finishing Fashion Icon in the Bakhtawar Plate (Div II). Federer nosed out Top In Class for third.

 

Sangreal Seals the Legacy

The final flourish came in Bakhtawar Plate (Div I), where Sangreal, backed with confidence, ensured a scripted ending to the day. The filly stormed clear in the hands of Suraj Narredu to notch up the 1,000th career win for Prasad Raju—a milestone few trainers live to see, and even fewer manage in such style. Eminency and Blue Pantheress followed the leader home, but this was a one-act show celebrating a trainer’s enduring legacy.

 

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