Cometh The Indian Derby, cometh the Racing Crowd- By Usman Rangila | 31 Jan 2026 | MUMBAI
Tomorrow marks the first of February and also the first Sunday of the month, the day on which the Indian Derby is traditionally run. In the world of horse racing the Indian Derby has held a unique place in the heart of race-goers, both as an event and the exhilarating moments one gets to relish at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The Indian Derby this year carries the name of Villoo C. Poonawalla, the beloved wife of Dr Cyrus S. Poonawalla and Serum Institute of India's CEO Adar C Poonawalla's mother, who are sponsoring this event for the first time as a tribute to the departed lady who was an ardent lover of horses and the sport as well. The five-year sponsorship offer from the Poonawallas has ensured that the allure and glamour of the Indian Derby remains intact.
The story of this year's Indian Derby has a tinge of sadness after the dreaded Glanders disease surfaced simultaneously at the Bangalore, Mysore and Hyderabad racecourses this winter. Glanders has not only robbed the event of the competition which the outstation challengers would have provided, it has crushed the dreams nurtured by the owners as also the hopes harboured by the trainers after their horses looked well set to reveal their talent in the classics both at home and at Mahalaxmi. It has left the owners and professionals devastated at these racing centres.
That said, the unexpected fallout of Glanders has failed to cast a shadow of gloom on the big event. There will be a field of eleven contestants which will take a tilt at the country's most sought-after event. Among the contenders, Pesi Shroff has five, three aspirants come from Mansingh Jadhav's yard, two from Adhirajsingh Jodha's barns whilst Karthik Ganapathy has a solitary runner.
Like always, there has to be a crowd favourite and this year most spectators will be rooting for both, the Indian 2000 Guineas winner Baychimo and Fynbos, who wore the Ladies' Derby crown. Both horses have acquitted themselves to an extent that they both emerge as the prime contenders for the winner's prize money of Rs. 2.40 crore alongwith a glittering trophy. Although A. Sandesh will not be there to guide the fortunes of Adhirajsingh Jodha-schooled Baychimo, the colt has an equally good saddle partner in Suraj Narredu, who has the class and temperament to steer a Derby winner.
Pesi Shroff's ward, Fynbos, will be the torchbearer in his five-horse contingent and the champion trainer could be pinning his hopes on the filly's ability to conquer the Derby distance of a mile and a half after she romped home in the Oaks three weeks ago. It goes without saying that Shroff believes in giving every possible assistance to the filly and has thus summoned the services of jockey Tom Marquand to bring the best out of Fynbos.
Truth be told, events at the racecourse seldom follow the popular script. This subtle intrigue of horseracing is what lends the sport its enduring charm. Call it a backup strategy or his Plan B, Shroff has three formidable candidates in Red Bishop (Trevor Patel), Zacharias (Vivek G.), and King's Gambit (Yash Narredu). Who knows — any of these runners could spring a surprise!
Adhirajsingh too has another Derby contestant in Sovereign King, who went down by a whisker to Baychimo in the 2000 Guineas. Barring the question about his stamina to stay the Derby trip, the Antony Raj-piloted colt certainly comes into the equation.
Kavya, the filly from Jadhav's stable who beat Fynbos in the 1000 Guineas, skipped the Oaks as her trainer opted to target the Derby instead. With David Allan in the saddle, she could prove to be a potent threat—provided the early pace suits her. Interestingly, Jadhav has pitched another filly, Dreamer (third in the Oaks), by paying a hefty Rs 15 lakh late entry fee to secure her spot in the Derby lineup, with Nikhil Parmar in the saddle.
Now if all these manoeuvres do not add suspense and drama to the Indian Derby, nothing will. So, sit back and enjoy the two and a half minutes of pure thrill and ecstasy after the field of eleven breaks from the starting gates.
Lest it be forgotten, the Royal Western India Turf Club's managing committee has spared no effort—backed unstintingly by sponsors Cyrus Poonawalla and Adar Poonawalla—to make this year's Indian Derby a spectacular, memorable experience for all at Mahalaxmi racecourse. Fun, food, and drinks await on the lawns, but the real steal for racegoers will be the Rs 50 lakh amount added to Sunday's combined jackpot, pushing the gross pool over a crore rupees.
To cap it all, tomorrow the Mahalaxmi turf will be a happy hunting ground not just for owners and professionals, but for punters chasing big wins as well.
Courtesy- indiarace.com
