My Indian Derby recollections - By Tom Krish
Posted on - 01 Feb 2017
My Indian Derby recollections
By Tom Krish
The first Derby that readily comes to mind is the 1958 running won by Canny Scot. Baba Khan, the trainer, and jockey Jagdish were well-known names in the South. A horse with connections to Chennai winning India’s premier race, where I lived and went to school, was a cause for celebration.
In 1959, the M P Davis-owned Scone Stone made the trip to Mumbai. Scone Stone had swept everything before him in South India. Kashmir Maharaja’s Fair Wood made mincemeat of his rivals.
The 1963 edition, perhaps the most controversial in the history of the storied event, went to Rocklie. Mount Everest, the South India’s torch bearer, came charging down the lane to force a photo with Rocklie. The photo finish camera malfunctioned. The judges, in keeping with the rules in place, awarded the Derby to Rocklie who had North India connections. The South felt that the judges had favored a local horse. There is residual anger even today. In the Invitation Cup, Mount Everest, owned by Muthukaruppan Chettiar, blew the opposition away.
Prince Pradeep sailed home in the 1964 Derby. In the Invitation held at Kolkata, Prince Pradeep , supported to the exclusion of his rivals, bolted and was collared late by Hovercraft.
Rose Royal beat Sun Deep in the 1965 edition. Sun Deep’s connections alleged that their horse’s stall opened a fraction late and went to court seeking a remedy. The court refused to intervene.
Red Rufus won the Triple Crown during the 1965-66 season. I was living in Mumbai then. Raghunath gave the Meherjee-trained Red Rufus an impeccable ride. What I remember and remember well is that Mirage, the South India Derby winner, went to Mumbai. He was beaten by Rainbow Trout in a preparatory race. Mirage , owned by C S Loganathan, was in an air-conditioned area in the stable. In the Derby, Mirage was a disappointment.
The 1965-66 season reminds me of two great horses that I was privileged to see. One was Bakthawar, owned by M D Mehta and trained by S M Shah, and the other was Monitor, owned by T G Gaokar and trained by D P Pandole. Bakthawar and Monitor won their share of races but could not find a chink in Red Rufus’ armor. Bakthawar carried 67 kgs in a 2400-metre race and won against some accomplished foes.
Nijinsky justified favoritism in the 1967 Derby. I was at Mahalakshmi. Rajoo was the winning jockey.
Our Select won for the Mehta-Shah team in 1968. Jockey Jagdish was aboard.
Fair Haven, a South India-based runner, got the job done in 1969. Brian Taylor, if my memory serves right, was the rider. That was the first time a runner from the South had won the Indian Derby.
The 1970 running was special for one reason. A runner from Class B ( in December) and whose pre-race antics attracted widespread attention, had the last laugh. It was Thunderstorm, a grey, ridden by Jock Wilson.
Mansoor delivered the goods with the peerless Pandu Khade in 1973. Jockey Khade won again in 1975. The horse was Pyare Miya, a maiden. A non-graduate winning the Indian Derby was unheard of. Last week, Torosso, a maiden, won the Bangalore (winter) Derby.
Commanche was victorious in the 1976 Derby. I saw Commance’s win in the 1975 Bangalore (summer) Derby. Red Cockade, owned by G Narasimhan of the Hindu, was an odds on favorite after a run-away score in the Colt Trial Stakes. Commanche, Jagdish up, shocked the Derby day crowd by running the favorite down late in the stretch. In August 1975, my wife and I left for the United States.
I did not get a computer until 1978. I was able to read news about Indian racing now and then. I went to Mahalakshmi to see Noble Eagle make it all in 2003. I was witness to Southern Regent winning in 2005. I was back in 2006 to see Velvet Rope beat Holding Court and Mystical. I was again at Mahalakshmi when Diabolical beat Southern Empire in the 2007 running. The less fancied Diabolical. ColmO’Donoghue up, beat Southern Empire, his stablemate, who had been wagered on as if defeat was out of the question.
Mick Kinane made a visit to Mumbai to steer Hotstepper to victory in the 2008 Derby. In 2009, jockey Kinane rode Sea The Stars to several Grade I wins including the Epsom Derby, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc De Triomphe. Kinane retired at the end of 2009.
Antonios beat Set Alight in the 2009 running. Set Alight’s loss has been a subject for debate and we have not seen the end of it yet. I was not in India to see Antonios win. I was with Vicki and Silvestre de Sousa in 2011 at their Thirsk home and in 2012 at their Newmarket house. Silvestre has pictures of Antonios and newspaper clippings everywhere in the house. He considers his win with Antonios a high point in his career.
Jacqueline beat Becket in a thriller in 2010. We all remember that Becket gained sweet revenge in the Invitation Cup.
I was at Mahalakshmi in 2011 when Moonlight Romance, David Allan up, got the better of Ocean And Beyond.
The 2012 edition went to In The Spotlight. I had arrived in Chennai (from Chicago) early Saturday and took a flight to Mumbai a couple of hours later. Two hours before the derby, I asked for Martin Dwyer in the paddock. He was riding trainer Padmanabhan’s In The Spotlight. Martin wasted no time. He said,” this Derby is a no contest. I do not expect to lose. My filly is too good.”
Satish Narredu’s frustration when Super Storm lost the Bangalore (winter) Derby to Red Baron was what led to Super Storm going to Mumbai. The Monday before the race, it was revealed that Jimmy Fortune was coming to Mumbai. Malesh Narredu jumped at the opportunity. Fortune was booked for Super Storm. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.
I was at Guindy and saw Alaindair winning in 2014.
Suraj Narredu invited me to be in Mumbai for the 2015 Derby. Suraj and I had become close friends after his visit to America in 2011. Be Safe, the piping hot favorite, made no mistake in the hands of Suraj. The aftermath is a peculiar saga in the history of Indian Racing. Be Safe’s loss to Quasar became a story.
Desert God brought home the ‘Padmanabhan magic’ in the 2016 running. After winning the Kolkata Derby, Desert God received a great steer from David Allan in the Indian Derby. Desert God went on to win the Invitation Cup in Chennai.
It is indeed a long span from 1958 until now. I am thrilled I can remember some of the more important facts. We have another Derby coming up in a matter of days. I have an opinion or two coming your way soon.
(Disclaimer : Views are entirely that of the correspondent only and RWITC takes no responsibility for the same)
