B R Sharan Kumar

    When Racing Authority and Criticism Collide   By Sharan Kumar   Indian racing has a long history of professionals crossing swords with those who run the sport. Some disputes ended in the courts, some in compromise and some became part of racing folklore.   There is something rather intriguing about the Royal Western India Turf Club. India became independent nearly eight decades ago, yet the word “Royal” remains comfortably embedded in the name of one of the country's most important racing institutions. The old British race names, the Guineas, the Oaks and the Derby, have survived too, as have some of the old dress conventions. There is nothing wrong with preserving traditions. Racing, perhaps more than most sports, is built around history and tradition.   What is more difficult to understand is another tradition, one that has nothing to do with horses: the apparent sensitivity of racing authorities to criticism and the tendency, on occ...