McDowell Indian Derby - A Race Par Excellence - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 26 Jan 2015
McDowell Indian Derby – A Race Par Excellence
By Mahendra Mallya
Every sport has its pinnacle of glory. World Cups for cricket, football and hockey. Wimbledon for Tennis, Olympics for field events and so on. For Indian Horseracing it cannot get bigger than the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. This one race attracts the highest attention throughout the nation. This is the race that brings in the highest footfalls and eyeballs and the only event that non race-goers outnumber the racing regulars by a ‘distance’.
The United Spirits Limited (USL) has been sponsoring the Indian Derby ever since 1985 and have steadfastly kept their association with this premier horse race ever since making it the longest sponsorship association in the history of sports sponsorship in India. The USL, true to its ‘Signature’ brand, give this racing weekend the required boost by bringing in high-end performers from across the globe providing riveting entertainment that adds enormous fanfare to this racing extravaganza. Vignettes on assorted rituals of the Indian Derby exhibited across the media by the sponsors cover detailed information, right from the Derby contenders to what to wear on the Derby Sunday. It is believed that the fashion trend for the year is usually on display on the Derby day! The entire section of the crowd in the Members’ enclosure are dressed to boot making the Mahalaxmi racecourse the only sports venue in India that has a collective numbers of the best dressed people in the Grand Stands. The traditional suits/jackets for gentlemen offers a pleasing sight of well dressed men (many with hats) and the dainty damsels strutting, dressed to the stilettos lends an aura of supreme panache making it a wonderfulSunday outing with family and friends. If it’s’ the first Sunday of February, it’s got to be destination Mahalaxmi racecourse!
The first ever Indian Derby dates back to 1943. Over the years, the race has got richer and this race has held its pride of place ever since. The winner of this one race is conferred the topmost crown and is hailed as the year’s National champion!
The snowballing sweepstakes amount added with the rich sponsorship swells the stakes making the McDowell Signature Indian Derby the richest individual sport in the country in terms of payouts on offer. The total stakes this year breaches the INR Three-Crore mark! The hype thus is understandable and to possess the coveted trophy is every racehorse owner/professional’s dream.
“For the McDowell Signature Indian Derby 2015, go with Be Safe”, is what racing experts profess. Be Safe is a well built, highly talented colt, who is on an all-conquering mission. Having dealt eight knock-outs in nine battles, Be Safe is truly a champion in the making. His stocks soared when he recently won the Indian 2000 Guineas and followed that up with another resolute victory, winning the RR Ruia Cup in record time. What makes this performance even more impressive is the fact that Be Safe set the record time without actually firing on all cylinders! If Be Safe wins the Indian Derby, he will certainly be hailed as one of the all time greats in the annals of Indian horseracing.
The mass opinion is that Be Safe on current form appears outstanding. He ticks every box on the check list. From pedigree, to conformation, condition, track record to current form and fitness. On a scale, Be Safe scores the perfect ten. Nevertheless, like every legend, every champion in the past, Be Safe too has his share of critics. Be Safe is yet to race over the Derby distance (2400 meters). He has won longest over 2000 meters when he won the Kingfisher Bangalore Derby last summer and the more recent RR Ruia Cup. That extra 400 meters, his critics feel, would be the final and stern test for Be Safe to prove. The Indian Derby also has proved to be a graveyard for several hot favorites. ‘So wait and watch’ say the critics, tongue in cheek.
Whatever the result, the McDowell Signature Indian Derby provides a ‘must watch’ extravaganza for anyone that’s game for a high-octane drama. Besides the engaging battle on the turf, spotting of popular Bollywood personalities and actually rubbing shoulders with some of them is sure to keep the star-struck excited. Members of the famous Kapoor Family made it a point to witness the Indian Derby without fail, so were the Khan’s of the previous years. Feroz Khan was a regular at the racecourse for many years and owned several horses. His brother Sanjay Khan however, has the distinction of owning Prince Khartoum who won the Indian Derby, making Sanjay the only Bollywood star to have won the Indian Derby.
Although the McDowell Signature Indian Derby will hog most of the limelight if not all, the entire weekend program promises to be electrifying. Singers, performers both individual and troupes should be a unique experience for all at the Mahalaxmi racecourse. A couple of races for younger horses will showcase the talent for some of the next year’s Derby contenders. Spotting another champion lurking should be an interesting proposition. A chance to win a luxury car by putting in an entry nominating the first four placing of the Indian Derby for one lucky entrant is up for grabs. Interestingly, first timers or non regulars have driven away with the grand prize. It could be you this year who could win a Merc or an Audi!
For those with a taste for spirits, specially created cocktails will be the drinks of the day. Saddle Up & Set Alight are the official cocktails for the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. Popular food court offering chats to assorted cuisine dishes will guarantee delicious meal courses. A specially erected gigantic AC Hanger will ensure comfort and provide minute by minute entertainment from global artistes over the weekend – 31st January and 1st February 2015. Is there a better weekend package anywhere on earth? I guess not! Don’t miss out to raise a toast for the Mc Dowell Signature Indian Derby 2015, Saddle up or Set Alight, the choice is yours. Until then and thereafter – Be Safe!
(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are the author's personal views.)
