History and Interesting Anecdotes of The Indian Turf Invitation Cup - By Bob Sawhny
Posted on - 04 Mar 2011
History and Interesting Anecdotes of The Indian Turf Invitation Cup
By Bob Sawhny
Mumbai: The Indian Turf Invitation Cup was first run in 1963 at Bombay following the decision of the Turf Authorities of India to contrive a race to decide the Champion of Champions. Hence, designed as a Championship event over the classic distance of 2400M, the race was programmed to rotate annually among the Turf Authorities of India. Unlike the sweepstakes races, the Invitation Cup is a race where participants are nominated by the individual Turf Authorities. Initially, there were just three Turf Authorities in India, namely-Bombay, Calcutta and Madras when the race was first started, which later expanded to five with Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Contrived only for four-year old thoroughbreds, the eminent owner who has dominated this prestigious race as an individual, so far on Eleven (11) occasions has been the renowned Dr. M. A. M. RAMASWAMY with his classy horses - Own Opinion (1979), Own Beauty (1988), Exhilaration (1989), Ministerial (1997), Forest Fantasy (1998), Smart Chieftan (2000), Simply Supreme (2004), Southern Regent (2005), Mystical (2006), Southern Empire (2007) and Sweeping Success (2008) and suffice it to say, that it will be very difficult for any individual to surpass his stupendous and magnificent achievement.
Regarding the professionals who have monopolized their greatness, in this distinguished epic event is the GREATEST EVER, Of All Indian Trainers - RASHID BYRAMJI who has won an astounding 12 Invitation Cups for his eminent owners with- Prince Khartoum (1972), Topmost (1974), Commanche (1976), Squanderer (1977), Manitou (1978), Evernsky (1980), Track Lightning (1981), Almanac (1982), Delage (1991), Bugs Bunny (1992), Adler (1993) and Elusive Pimpernel (1995).
Last but not the least, the formidable Indian jockey Pesi Shroff who has recently become a trainer, rode seven (7) thoroughbreds to victories, namely Revelation (1985), Amorous Knight (1986), Exhilaration (1989), Desert Warrior (1990), Bugs Bunny (1992), Adler (1993) & Storm Again (2001).Wally Swinburn and Sandy Barclay, both foreign jockeys have won this race on three occasions and the legendary Lester Piggot rode the gelding Delage to a superb victory in Madras (1991) in a field of 11 good horses headed by the Pesi Shroff-ridden Star Fire Boy who finished third.
Red Rufus, Bright Hanovar, Prince Khartoum, Topmost, Comanche, Squanderer, Manitou, Track Lightning, Almanac, Revelation, Chaitanya Chakram, Exhilaration, Desert Warrior, Elusive Pimpernel, Smart Chieftain, Storm Again and Southern Regent are horses who have won both -The Indian Derby and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup.
