Economics Joins Territories at Poonawallas Stud

 

By Sharan Kumar

 

Poonawalla Stud Farm has once more signalled its intent to sit at the very top of Indian Thoroughbred breeding with the arrival of Economics, the Group 1 winner of the Irish Champion Stakes, to stand alongside the outstanding sire Territories. At a time when racing is wrestling with uncertainty, the move injects ambition, confidence and global relevance into Indian bloodstock.

 

A multiple-time Champion Stud Farm, the Poonawalla operation has long been a powerhouse nursery, producing quality racehorses and champions by the dozen. Scale, consistency and success have defined its record, but what truly sets it apart is the long-term vision driving its breeding programme.

 

For Zavaray S. Poonawalla, breeding has never been a side pursuit. It is an abiding passion, backed by sustained investment in elite bloodstock and a clear determination to elevate the genetic base of Indian Thoroughbreds. The acquisition of high-class international stallions has been central to that strategy, and the pairing of Economics and Territories marks a decisive new chapter.

 

Economics arrives in India with credentials that place him among the elite of world racing. Winner of the Irish Champion Stakes (G1), he was nominated for both Cartier Horse of the Year and Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt, an endorsement of his standing at the highest level. Following his signature Group 1 success, Economics surged into the Top Five of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024, firmly establishing himself as one of the premier performers of his generation.

 

He now joins Territories, a Group 1 winning racehorse and already a proven, world-class sire. A son of Invincible Spirit, Territories has compiled a remarkable stud record, siring top-level performers across jurisdictions and distances. His progeny includes Rougir, winner of the Prix de l’Opéra (G1) and E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1); Lazzat, a multiple Group 1 sprint star; Regional, winner of the Haydock Sprint Cup (G1); Lady Ilze, winner of the German 1000 Guineas (G2); and Hoo Ya Mal, runner-up in the Epsom Derby (G1). Few stallions offer such range, blending speed, class and stamina.

 

With Economics and Territories standing together, Poonawalla Stud Farm offers Indian racing access to stallions of genuine global relevance, a combination that significantly lifts the profile of Indian bloodstock. While Territories’ Indian crops are still emerging, expectations are already high that the stallion pairing will play a transformative role in shaping the next generation of top-class racehorses.

 

Beyond breeding, Zavaray S. Poonawalla has been a vital pillar of Indian racing itself, stepping in with generous sponsorship and support at moments when the sport has needed reassurance and stability. His contribution extends well beyond his own colours or stud gates.

 

The farm’s legacy already carries an international imprint. Mystical, bred at Poonawalla Stud Farm, earned the rare distinction of being the only Indian-bred horse to win back-to-back races in Dubai, a reminder of what Indian bloodstock can achieve when vision is matched with investment.

 

Even as the sport navigates the present gloom caused by glanders-related shutdowns in southern India, demand for quality horses remains strong. With the arrival of Economics and the expected impact of Territories, Poonawalla Stud Farm is not merely holding the line. It is raising the bar, positioning Indian breeding on a higher, more competitive tier and offering a clear signal that ambition, not retreat, will shape its future.

 

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