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 Deccan Derby after a commendable Bangalore summer run, arrives as the bookmakers’ darling. But lurking close — and perhaps ready to spoil the party — is Miracle Star, now under James McKeown, the late S. Padmanabhan’s protégé. The filly had edged out Red Bishop in the Bangalore Derby in July and has been burning the tracks since. Her win would be poetic justice — a fitting tribute to the legendary “Paddy,” who had her primed for this very day. With Suraj Narredu brimming with confidence after her final workout, expect the crowd to roar with both emotion and excitement.

 

And then there’s Maana, from Darius Byramji’s yard — bred in the purple, by Deauville out of the classic-winning Yana. She’s the dark horse, the mystery card that could upset the established order if she improves on her Chennai run. Matisse is expected to set the early tempo, and Moon Star, familiar with the Mysore track, may try to sneak into the frame.

 

While the seven-runner field promises a thrilling contest, equal credit must go to the Mysore Race Club, which has once again raised the bar. The club’s two-day Derby weekend is being run with clockwork precision — a testament to its professionalism and harmony. In an era where some neighbouring clubs resemble political battlegrounds (mentioning no names, of course), Mysore stands out for its greater unity, enthusiasm, and a flair for celebration. From Derby Nite’s glitz to the immaculate race-day arrangements, the MRC committee — under the steady hand of Venkatesh — has turned the event into a model of efficiency and elegance.

 

With the Invitation Cup weekend galloping into Mysore next March, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet, if this Derby week’s flawless performance is any clue, the Mysore Race Club looks well set to canter into the national spotlight. It’s doing so while skilfully negotiating the sport’s trickiest hurdle — the 40% GST, which continues to bleed racing dry. Finances may be tight, but Mysore isn’t one to pull up short. The club has been stretching every sinew to attract sponsors and keep the show glitzy, grand, and galloping — proving once again that resourcefulness, not riches, fuels true racing spirit.

 

For now, though, it’s all about the racing, the rhythm, and the revelry. Expect drama, emotion, and that unmistakable touch of Mysorean magic — because when this club puts on a show, it’s never just another race weekend. It’s a festival on turf in the land of royals.

 

Racing may have trotted in as a colonial legacy, but it galloped into glory under the patronage of the Maharajas of Mysore, who built this magnificent racecourse over a century ago. More than 100 years on, the Mysore Race Course continues to echo with history, tradition, and the thunder of hooves that refuse to fade.

 

And if the racing doesn’t take your breath away, the city surely will. With Dasara lights still shimmering across the Palace City, Mysore transforms into a living postcard — part carnival, part heritage dream. Come for the Derby, stay for the magic — because nowhere else does pomp, pageantry, and pure racing passion come together quite like this.

 

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