Racing Excellence Awards - An Evening of Grandeur!
-By Mahendra Mallya
The glittering function on the eve of the HDIL Indian Turf Invitation Cup was indeed a fun-filled, lighted hearted evening. The annual gathering of the entire racing fraternity is always enjoyable and if it happens with a blend of mirth and entertainment then it becomes a perfect way to unwind and let one’s hair down. This is exactly what unfolded on the lawns of the RWITC on Saturday the 5th of March 2011.
Well-Known comedy artist Vir Das played the anchor for the evening and had the crowd in splits with his wisecracks. Many tongue-in-cheeks that may normally have raised eye brows were sportingly taken by the guests and the various jibes that he took at various sections of people was well received and taken in the right perspective so to speak. The Broadway troupe added to the entertainment quotient and the dances were well orchestrated and enjoyable. One particular number had male artists dressed in feminine outfits put up an enthralling sequence that was watched in utter silence. Whether the audiences were spellbound or dumbstruck cannot be deciphered, but surely the times have changed and people in general are far more liberal of late. The audience showed great maturity and were a model of advanced society.
Mr Vivek Jain, Chairman Turf Authorities of India, in his opening speech, welcomed the visiting Chairmen of the Turf Authorities of India , the delegates, media, members and the guests who numbered over 2500, to witness the Racing Excellence Awards.
“The Awards, to be presented later tonight, are India’s only nationally recognized Awards for the racing industry, and can be fittingly and topically referred to as the Oscars of the Turf. It is the season for Awards, with the Filmfare and Economic Times Awards just over, as were the Grammys and Oscars, and hence the timing for the Racing Awards is most appropriate” began Mr Jain.
“The Invitation Cup providentially has returned to Mumbai for the second year in a row, a bonanza of sorts, considering it was hosted by the RWITC last year after a six year hiatus. We bid for the rights as soon as MRC announced its decision to forgo its place in the rotational cycle, and won it, after a few weeks of identifying a sponsor. We take great pride in this achievement, and as the Invitation Cup is India’s premier racing event, a champion of champions’ series, it is like winning a bid to host the World Cup final in our city or an ATP Masters in the tennis world,” he added.
He explained that the task was made easier “due to the much appreciated munificence shown by the Club’s partners, HDIL, who very quickly agreed to associate with this premier event, after a brief meeting I had with its Chairman, Mr Rakesh Wadhawan. On behalf of the RWITC and the Turf Authorities, we sincerely thank Rakesh ji, Sunny Dewan and the HDIL Group for the support they have shown and continue to bestow to our sport”.
Informing on the newer developments, Mr Jain said, “A new community termed ‘Tribe @ Turf’ was launched recently. This is to invite likeminded individuals to provide them a platform to add innovative activities. A charity drive to collect much needed funds for the underprivileged, has been a high priority for the community. Very soon an organic market will be seen on the lawns on the club where farmers will exhibit and sell their wares on Thursday afternoons in March and on two Saturdays in April,” he added.
This will open up the heritage sprawl of the racecourse for the benefit of all residents of the city. The Club seems keen to establish that the RWITC is aware of its social responsibilities and to chip-in in all possible ways that the racecourse remains a fresh breathing hub in the midst of a concrete jungle. This surely is a welcome move and evidently a forward surge in keeping with present times and trends. With Facebook and Twitter gaining great popularity at an amazing speed, the RWITC presence is seen a ground-breaking progress that would appeal to the gen-next. If there is one way of attracting the newer generation, it surely will help in gaining from the internet medium.
Mr Vivek Jain expressed his gratitude to all associated with the event for their relentless efforts and valuable contribution. “I must thank Ashvin Gidwani and Priya Kothari of AGP for putting this together, as after last year’s spectacular, the RWITC had raised the bar and it has taken an enormous effort to live up to it. Also, to my Invitation Cup Working Group members, Sanjay Shah and Gautam Lala.
Before concluding, I must also thank Shapoor Mistry and Ameeta Mehra for not only sponsoring the Sprinters’ Cup and Super Mile, but for also upping the prize money, to make them the richest in history. Thanks go to Foodlinks for the dinner to follow, to UB Spirits for the liquor, Auto Hangar for partnering for the Awards show and to Gitanjali Lifestyle for presenting the fashion show to follow and to the army of associates, officials and the media, especially ET NOW, for making the Weekend what it is. Congratulations to the Award Winners and enjoy the evening” Mr Jain concluded.
The main item on the agenda was the Racing Excellence Awards recognizing the leaders and Champions in various categories. The winners were felicitated on stage and the winners were as follows:
Leading Owner:
Winner – Dr MAM Ramaswamy Runner up – Dr Vijay Mallya
Leading Trainer:
Winner – Mr Robert Foley
Runner up – Mr Pesi Shroff
Leading Jockey:
Winner – Mr B Prakash Runner up – Mr Suraj Narredu
Leading Stud Farm:
Winner– Poonawalla Stud Farms
Runner up – Usha Stud Farm
Champion Horse:
Becket
Hall Of Fame:
Mr Vivek Jain
Special Achievement Award
Trainer Imtiaz A Sait for compiling more than 1000 winners in Western India.
Two other special recognition awards were given to two Star Stallions:
Razeen of the Usha Stud and Placerville of the Poonawalla Stud Farms. Both the stallions died recently.
An ethnic fashion show was the final finale to the evening and the models walked the ramp showcasing fashion designer Vikram Phadnis‘s wardrobe.
The food court was separately laid out with elaborate sitting arrangements. The menu too was impressive and the variety was indeed something to write about. The dinner was well served and well appreciated with another pleasant adventure.
The cocktail bars saw steady footfalls in the beginning, however, although the footfalls continued I cannot confirm if they were as steady. That in no way should imply an accusation on my own steadiness, as I can vouch that I returned home on my own two feet, carrying a lot of happy memories of the evening.
