The Derby- Stakes & Ladder - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 01 Feb 2012
The Derby : “Stakes & Ladder”
By Mahendra Mallya
For long, the McDowell sponsored Indian Derby (Gr1) has been the richest race in India. The raise in stakes has been phenomenal, particularly with the turn of the new millennium. What Started with a then princely sum of Rs 35,000/- in 1943, the stakes have burst past the 2.6 crore mark in present times. Now with the new five year contract of a whopping 28 crore signed between Dr Vijay Mallya’s United Spirits Limited and the RWITC, the stakes for the McDowell Indian Derby 2013, in all probability will breach a stunning three-crore mark. Following is the steady raise up the ladder of stakes for the McDowell sponsored Indian Derby in the new millennium:
Year Total Stakes Winner
2001 Rs 75,75,660 Storm Again
2007 Rs 1,00,00,000 Diabolical
2009 Rs 1,87,25,000 Antonios
2010 Rs 2,12,30,000 Jacqueline
2011 Rs 2,18,05,000 Moonlight Romance
2012 Rs 2,61,60,000 Who will it be?
Whatever the stakes may be, and how ever high they may get, for the affluent and passionate horse lover, the most sublime joy that comes in displaying the traditional ‘Golden Horse and Jockey’ on the mantle is invaluable! That is something no amount of money can buy!
