Season set for record payout - By Shailendra Awasthi I TOI
Posted on - 14 Nov 2014
Season set for record payout
By Shailendra Awasthi I TOI
A 43-day long Mumbai horse racing season (2014-15) is all set to roll out another enthralling racing action starting Sunday (November 16) and will run through until the last Sunday of April 2015.
Though the advertised prize money for the 43 race days is about Rs. 24 crores, after adding performance bonus, sweepstakes and the extra payout for divided races, the actual disbursement will cross Rs. 30 crores, making the payout highest in a single racing season in the country . At a press briefing on Friday, Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) chairman Vivek Jain informed that the club maintains its leadership position in attracting record sponsorships and alliances, and the season ahead will be no exception. “Contributions will cross Rs. 12.5 crore and virtually every weekend will feature a sponsored race.”
The Invitation weekend to be held on February 28 and March 1 will be highlight of the season while Indian Derby, to be held on February 1, remains the biggest race of the season and will offer Rs 3.5 crores in prize money.
Also for the first time in the history of Indian racing, a “Champions Day“ a la Ascot will be held where three graded races and two millions and a celebratory race will add up to a fabulous day in racing. The graded races will cover a sprint, middle distance and a stayers race.
The schedule:
November: 16, 20, 23, 27 & 30. December: 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25 & 28. January: 1, 4, 8, 14, 18, 24 & 31.February: 1, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22 & 28. March: 1, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, & 29. April: 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25 & 26.
Important races:
New Hope Indian 1000 Guineas (Dec. 14), ABV Nucleus Indian 2000 Guineas (Dec. 21); Raymond Million (Jan. 4), R.R. Ruia Gold Cup (Jan. 4), WIROHA Million (Jan. 4), Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Jan. 18), Kunigal Breeders Produce Stakes (Jan. 31); McDowell Signature Indian Derby (Feb. 1), Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters Championship, Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Eclipse Stakes Of India and R.N. Kanga Gold Trophy (Feb. 8), Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (Feb. 22), Omkar Sprinters' Cup (Feb. 28), Omkar Stayers' Cup (Feb. 28); Omkar Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Mar. 1), Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup (Mar. 1), Suresh Mahindra Multi-Million (Mar. 1), C.N. Wadia Gold Cup (Mar. 8), Forbes Breeders Juvenile Fillies' Championship and Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders Juvenile Colts' Championship (Mar. 15), Tata Housing Turf Championship (Mar. 29) and Season Ending Juvenile Million (Apr. 26).
