Pesi Shroffs Amazing Grace and Tiger Tops take the boys on - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 20 Feb 2015
Pesi Shroff's Amazing Grace and Tiger Tops take the boys on
By Tom Krish
There is a big ‘Amazing Grace’ fan club in the Indian racing fraternity. A daughter of Hurricane Run, winner of the Irish Derby and the Arc de Triomphe, Amazing Grace has put together a win streak that has won her many converts. Her ‘walk in the park’ act in the St Leger in Pune last year and the beating of Alaindair (a multiple Group race winner) elevated her stature and confirm the fact that she is ‘top drawer’ material. With the Indian Turf Invitation Cup a little over a week away, Amazing Grace’s prospects are being discussed with fervor and anticipation.
I turned to Pesi Shroff who is best qualified to give us a report on Amazing Grace. “I’ll have two runners in the Invitation Cup. Amazing Grace will be Trevor Patel’s mount and Tiger Tops will be ridden by ColmO’Donoghue,” he began.
“I am happy to say that Amazing Grace has recovered from a setback. She is training well. I am satisfied with how she is doing. She is resilient. Tiger Tops had races coming up quickly in January but she has had a four-week respite after the Indian Derby on February 1. She has been freshened and I cannot be happier with her condition. They are coming up right for the big race,” Pesi continued.
What does Pesi Shroff say about Be Safe? “I want to congratulate MaleshNarredu. He has done a great job with Be Safe. Malesh has wonderful horse in Be Safe. There is no question that Be Safe is the one to beat. My two runners are ready. I am looking forward to the big day.”
I wanted to know a thing or two about Pesi Shroff’s family and his career. “I am 49. I believe I rode for about 25 years and had a little over 1,700 winners. I have won every big race in our country. I won a race for Dr Mallya in Africa. I rode a winner in Bahrain. I have also ridden in Japan and Australia. I have had a fulfilling riding career.”
Our conversation turned to training. “I became a trainer ten years ago. It is a demanding profession but I have done well thanks to my owners who have given me good horses to train.”
“I cannot thank my family enough. I have the unconditional support of my wife. We have been married for 26 years. I have two children who both love racing. My son, now 24, is a skilled handicapper. My daughter, 20, rides and is into show jumping. She is passionate about it. Family support is what makes my task manageable and pleasant,” Pesi emphasized.
Does Pesi Shroff have a mentor and does he seek advice from anybody? “I listen to everybody. If somebody has something useful to say, I listen. It does not matter where the advice comes from.”
Pesi spoke about his parents. “My mother was a horsewoman. She loved horses. She and my father gave me encouragement whenever I needed it. They wanted me to get into the racing arena. They fully supported me and I owe them any success I have enjoyed in this game.”
“Horses are my life. Any free time I get, I spend it with my family. I do not have a hobby. Time with the family lifts my spirits and energizes me,” Pesi said.
Talking about Hurricane Run, I was at Chantilly that first Sunday in June (2005) when Shamardal made it all with Frankie Dettori in the French Derby . Hurricane Run was handled by Christophe Soumillon. That was the first year the French Derby distance had been shortened to 2100 metres. Colm O’Donoghue rode Falstaff in this race.
Hurricane Run won the Irish Derby at the Curragh in late June and took the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in early October. The Arc victory was a tribute to the riding skills of Kieren Fallon. It was a ground-saving journey. Fallon told me in the post-race conference that big races are won with inside trips and finding gaps at right moments. You can watch the 2005 Arc on Youtube. Hurricane Run returned to Longchamp for the 2006 Arc. He did not win. The race went to Rail Link ridden by Stephane Pasquier. There were thousands of visitors from Japan to see Deep Impact who failed to deliver.
A word on Holy Roman Emperor. In 2006, Holy Roman Emperor, Kieren Fallon up, won the Prix Jean Luc Lagardere, a Group I race over 1400 metresfor two year-olds on Arc day. Now in 2015, I see a son of Holy Roman Emperor strutting his stuff and a daughter of Hurricane Run capture the hearts of racing fans in India.
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
