Trainer Vinayak is No More - By Mahendra Mallya
Posted on - 22 Jun 2012
Fifty year old Vinayak Gaekwad, who trained horses for Mr KN Dhinjibhoy, former Chairman of the RWITC and of late, for Mr Rakesh Kumar Wadhawan, lost his battle with a cancerous tumour and passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, 20th June 2012.
Vinayak was detected with brain tumour in January this year and had undergone surgery. The doctors had implied that he may not last long, but Vinayak had battled hard for the last few months. The end finally came on Wednesday last. He is survived by his wife Ayesha and son Aditya.
Vinayak hailed from a racing background being the son of trainer Janardhan. He started his training career as an assistant trainer in the late 80s. He did not exactly start with a bang and when Mr KN Dhunjibhoy offered hm to be his private trainer, that was a turning point in his career and Vinayak showed tremendous aptitude and grew from strength to strength. His career peaked in the late 90s. He is one of the few trainers to record an Indian Triple crown march, with his ward Indictment. He added two more Indian Derby triumphs with Noble Eagle and Velvet Rope.
Vinayak was a comprehensive trainer and had an eye for the horses' potential. He trained winners over every distance. Besides winning the Pune Derby four times, Hills And Stars being his latest conqueror of the race last season, Vinayak has the Sprinters' Cup also in his bag when he sent out Indiscretion to victory over the sprint. Although relatively young, Vinayak was an expert in targeting races and preparing his horses to win a particular race. He met with success more often than not.
His colleagues, rather his adversaries at the race course found him to be a jovial soul and loved his practical jokes and the naughty pranks that he often played with them. "We trainers start are day early and if you encountered Vinayak you can be assured that the day would go well. He put you in such good humor the moment you met him. His wit and jokes were always in good spirits and rubbed off on others too," says Mr Magan Singh Jodha who shares the viewing stands with him during morning track work.
"He was a genuine friend," claims Malesh, one of the closest persons to Vinayak right through his career. "We started out racing careers in the late 80s and have remained close friends all through. A huge chunk of my jockey days were in combination with Vinayak. We both served the Dhunjibhoy stables. We had a long tenure together and we also enjoyed many highs during this time. It was a fantastic partnership and we had struck well together. He was religious and visited the famed Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai every Tuesday whenever he was in Mumbai. When he was travelling overseas, he would fast on Tuesdays without fail. Never once did he falter on that. I found that amazing. In an emergency, one guy I could count on was Vinayak" recollects Malesh.
Mr KN Dhunjibhoy is saddened by his passing away. They had formed an effective team and Vinayak was an important cog in the wheel of success. "It is a sad and premature loss to Indian racing. Vinayak was loyal, honest and a perfect gentleman to the last day. I shall sorely miss him. My deepest sympathies to his wife Ayesha, son Aditya and to his family," said Mr Dhunjibhoy.
With a large number of winners that included many Classics and group races, Vinayak's record reflects a long and successful career. He was politically correct and a "jolly good fellow" to his co-professionals. He will be known as much for his achievements as for his jovial and friendly nature. His long drawn battle against the deadly ailment showed immense courage and inner strength. The battle was indeed one-sided, however, as we say in racing, Vinayak stretched even death and went down fighting! RIP Vin, you will be missed!
Condolences Pour in for Vinayak
Mr Vivek Jain:There are few in the racing fraternity like Vinayak was. Always warm and smiling, even if he was punished by the Stewards, that never changed his demeanour towards us. With a reputation for rock solid integrity, he had the rare asset of professional excellence with truly exceptional personal attributes. A loss to the industry without doubt and our prayers are with his family."
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla: "It is a sad news and Vinayak's passing away was premature. He was an astute horseman and would have achieved a lot more. Indian racing has lost a talented professional in Vinayak."
Mr Zavaray Poonawalla: Vinayak was a friendly person and a thorough professional. I spoke to him on phone post his surgery and even as i was enquiring about his health he in turn asked me about a couple of juveniles he had spotted in my Farm. That kind of involvement and concern for his profession came as a pleasant surprise. It is sad that he is no longer with us. My family prays for his soul and for strength to his family to withstand this grief."
Mr Vijay Shirke: Vinayak was a good man and a competitive trainer. Too young to go. He was systematic in preparing his horses and his judgement was sound. What can I say? It is disturbing to confront such tragic developments. He did have lot more to offer. I pray for his family to tide over this grief."
Mr NHS Mani: "It was indeed painful to hear the sad demise of trainer Vinayak. I have known him for decades. Besides being one among top class trainers, Vinayak was an excellent person with a friendly nature and liked by all. It is an irreparable loss to the racing fraternity. We will miss him greatly. May his soul rest in peace."
Mr Pesi Shroff: " Racing has lost a friend and a true professional. Vinayak always came about as a man with a great sense of humour. He was lively and considerate. One of his exceptional qualities was that he kept his competitive spirit and rivalry restricted to the track."
Mr Imtiaz Sait:"This news is tragic. Vinayak was a non controversial man and good to everyone. He didnt deserve to suffer as much as he did in his hospital days. I pray for the strength to his family to overcome this grief. God Bless his soul."
Mr LVR Deshmukh: He was like family to me, an elder brother. He was always willing to help and I learnt a lot from him. Whenever i needed advice, I would call him unhesitatingly and he would be forthcoming in correcting me or finding solutions to my queries. I feel I have lost a family member."
