The King of Sports - The McDowell Indian Derby Weekend - By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
Posted on - 01 Feb 2011
The King of Sports – The McDowell Indian Derby Weekend
By Gitanjali Gurbaxani
What would the `King of Sports' be without the 'King of Good Times' ? Dr. Vijay Mallya has glamorized the sport of Horse racing in India. This charismatic personality’s story jumps countries, time zones, cars and careers and his name is a complete introduction in itself. The sheer dynamism of the renowned beer baron is infectious and his enthusiasm for life is evident in all that he undertakes.
Underlining it’s signature style of edgy, unparalleled thrill, the McDowell Signature Indian Derby Weekend returns to Mumbai on February 5th & 6th, at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, as the city braces itself in preparation of it’s tryst with the biggest sporting and glamour event of India. The McDowell Indian Derby is the much awaited and electrifying confluence of sport, fashion, fun and high energy excitement. The burning desire of a race horse owner to acquire a Derby winner always starts at the time when a yearling is bought, but realistic hopes start building up only when the young horses begin their career. It is a landmark destination of every thoroughbred and is the most glamorous event in the Indian Racing history. The race is an apt test for speed, stamina and class that is fiercely contested and bravely fought by some of the finest thoroughbreds in the country. It is topmost on the agenda of every racehorse owner and only the best from the country vie for this top race. The McDowell Indian Derby means everything to a racehorse owner. It is the ultimate race in Indian Racing, one that any owner would surely want to win.
The mother of all races, the McDowell Indian Derby is a race par excellence that brings out the best of the years’ campaigners to give out their best on the day. Last year, Jacqueline created history of sorts when she won the Grade 1 McDowell Indian Derby, the most coveted event in Indian racing calendar in a record timing of two minutes 28.54 seconds in front of sea of spectators at the Mahalaxmi. This race makes champions out of the winners. The Bold and the Beautiful, the racing enthusiasts and the rookies, all await the power packed event which boasts of the richest prize purse of over Rs. 2.18 crores, as some of the finest thoroughbreds race each other to the glorious top prize, with a record of Rs. 1.3 crores for the winner. The packed stands, the electric atmosphere, well filled cards add to the race lover’s joy. The carnival like ambience, the fashion and glamour and high life are on parade on the day, that only makes it more beautiful. Another added attraction is a luxury car that is up for grabs, if you predict the four horses that would make it in the finals in the Grade 1 McDowell Indian Derby race. Even the Derby Eve is well presented and the leads up to the Derby making the Indian Derby an event worth the wait.
Ocean and Beyond has won five of his seven career runs. Moonlight Romance and Moon Star have each to their credit won two of their three outings this season. Whilst Moon Star won the H. R. Shantidas Trophy, run over 2000 metres three weeks ago, Moonlight Romance won the Grade 1 HDIL Indian Oaks less than two weeks ago. The main threat to them in the classic mile and a half event will emanate from the champion filly Xisca, the galloping goldmine from the stables of Pesi Shroff. Xisca looks outstanding amongst all the colts and fillies that will run this prestigious race. She has done the 2400 metre run twice this season in a tough set and has won them both. She has to her credit won three classic races this season - the Golconda Textiles Deccan Derby, the Calcutta Oaks and the Eveready Calcutta Derby. Xisca definitely has in her to achieve more success as the season progresses. Will the Kolkatta “Queen of the Turf” continue her dream run ? While the men do believe that it will be a colt who will wear the Derby sash, the ladies’ brigade beg to differ. The women, who were floored after super filly Jacqueline’s victory last year, are of the view that the in form “Queen” Xisca is ready to do battle with the “King” Ocean and Beyond. Moonlight Romance, from trainer C. D. Katrak’s yard, is another filly who could make the ladies proud.
The Derby weekend has a lot of entertainment to offer off the tracks. The McDowell Indian Derby celebrates this achievement with unprecedented thrill and entertainment. The entertainment lined up for the Derby weekend, is of top international quality. The UB Group will be flying down Billy West, regarded as Europe’s No. 1 Freddie Mercury clone to make in a special appearance. Joining him will be Pussycat Dollies, who created the band as a tribute to the Pussycats Dolls. Whilst they keep you entertained with their vocals in the huge state of art air conditioned hangar covering 16,000 square feet, Shaolin Monks will showcase their artistry with agility and acrobatics before club members and their guests in the paddock area. “Saddle Up", the Signature whisky based cocktail launched in 2009, after Dr Vijay Mallya's legendary horse, has been named the Signature cocktail for the McDowell Signature Indian Derby. This special summer cocktail will be served at the Derby, keeping with the Derby tradition worldwide. As temperatures soar with the glitz and glamour at the McDowell Signature Indian Derby, “Saddle Up” will refresh the racing spirit. The two day mega event has been completely sponsored by the UB Group and it’s subsidiaries.
(Gitanjali Gurbaxani is a Club Member of the RWITC and an avid race enthusiast for several years)
