Mumbai: Jendayi, with one of the finest jockeys in the world, Oisin Murphy, assisting her in the saddle, trounced her opposition to impressively win the Trilegal Indian 1000 Guineas, first Classic of the season and feature of Sunday’s Mumbai races.
“Her trainer (Pesi Shroff) had prepared her so well that I never had doubts about winning despite a little concern I had while turning for homestretch,” Oisin told TOI after the race.
The three-time British champion settled the favourite filly in fifth position as her stablemate Democracy showed the way to an eight-horse field. The 28-year-old rider kept Jendayi improving gradually and overtook Democracy in the last 100 metres to romp to a fantastic win.
Behind Democracy, Ameerah took third place ahead of Miss American Pie. Jendayi is owned by Vijay Shirke and Khushroo Dhunjibhoy.
Earlier in the day, Oisin debuted in India and guided Shroff-trained Chamonix to a smooth victory. “It’s a beautiful racecourse with a very demanding homestretch. Not many racecourses in the world have such a long homestretch,” said Oisin, who will be back next Sunday to ride another Shroff trainee in the Indian 2000 Guineas.
Another milestone for Shroff
Shroff became the most successful trainer in Indian history with his 30th Indian Classic win after Jendayi won the Indian 1000 Guineas. He surpassed the legendary late Rashid Byramji’s record of saddling 29 Indian Classic winners.
