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 open, Red Bishop, trained by
Pesi Shroff, carried the burden of being the public choice. Miracle Star,
meanwhile, was dismissed by many as an emotional punt — a sentimental flutter
for a departed hero. But those who had known Padmanabhan knew better. He had
often said that the filly’s run in the 1000 Guineas was not her true measure —
that she had far more to give once tuned right. And true to his word, though he
was not there to see it, his faith came alive in thunderous fashion.
Matisse cut the early
pace, with Unforgettable Star, Mahler, and Miracle Star in
close pursuit. Red Bishop raced in the rear, biding time. At the
700-metre marker, it was clear that something extraordinary was brewing. While
others began to labour, Miracle Star glided — smooth, serene, unbothered
— as though she knew this was her moment of destiny.
Turning for home, Suraj Narredu, calm and
poised, simply waited for the cue. And then, with the ease of divine
orchestration, he asked her for an effort — and she responded like a filly
possessed. She bounded forward, left the field gasping, and stormed home seven
plus lengths clear, sealing one of the most emotionally charged Derby
victories in memory. As she crossed the line, Suraj raised his hand skyward — a
silent salute to the late trainer. The grandstand erupted; the emotion was
palpable. This wasn’t just a race. It was a requiem.
For Sharmila, the moment was bittersweet. “This is the
best Derby win of my life,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. “Paddy had
planned every detail despite his health. I knew I had to run her. He would have
wanted this.”
The preparation of Miracle Star bore every hallmark of
Padmanabhan’s genius — precision, patience, and quiet confidence. James
McKeown, who had worked under him for over a decade and was entrusted with
the filly’s care, said, “Her final workout was exactly as Paddy had instructed.
Watching her travel in the race, I knew she was transformed. It felt like he
was still guiding her.”
Suraj Narredu, too, was visibly moved. “I’ve won six
Mysore Derbys,” he said, “but this one is special — deeply personal. I’d lost
narrowly on Desert God once, and this felt like closure. This win was for
Paddy.”
For those who had seen Padmanabhan at work, the
victory only reinforced what they already knew — that few could extract such
brilliance from limited resources. He had built champions from his own breeding
program, often defying odds and patronage alike. His legacy was never about
numbers, but about quality, courage, and an almost mystical connection with his
horses.
On this Derby day, his final masterpiece — Miracle
Star — brought that legacy full circle. It was as if the heavens conspired
to give him one last victory, one last cheer, one last moment of immortality on
the turf he so loved.
In the end, the Mysore Derby was more than a race.
It was a miracle — and a goodbye.
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