Battle of sexes at Indian Derby - By Mohit Lalvani I TOI
Posted on - 31 Jan 2016
Battle of sexes at Indian Derby
By Mohit Lalvani
Times of India
Ask any owner why he buys a horse and he'll tell you it's because he wants to win the Derby. In fact, in any racing country, the mention of the word Derby immediately relates to the best horse race in the world and like the US, France and all other major racing nations, the origins of the Indian Derby can be sourced from its older counterpart, the Epsom Derby.
Run just South of London in June each year the Derby has a story that is romantic, magical and also shows how chance can play a role in creating history. It was in 1780 that the race was instituted, that the 12th Earl of Derby won a toss of a coin against the patron of English racing, the Earl of Bunbury, but for which the world's most famous horse race would have been known as the Bunbury Stakes.
The 2016 revival of the Indian Derby will be known as the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby partnered by Signature Packaged Water. Not surprisingly, the prize money for just that one race will be over Rs.3.5 crore making it arguably not just the richest sporting event in India, pound for pound, but the ultimate statement of fashion and victory.
On the first Sunday of February, the traditional Derby day, approximately twenty horses will line-up for a shot at being recorded in to history, a chance they will never get again since it is only open to a horse once. This year The Derby will be built up as a battle of sexes as the Indian Oaks winner `Myrtlewood' will use her brilliance to test the power of the colts. At the end of the day, a single champion will be crowned and India's greatest race horse will be discovered, even if only for a year.
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