With this issue of Racing World we complete our 6th year of publication, covering the exciting world of Equine sport – horse racing, polo and other equestrian events. Having moved into unchartered territory in August 2003, we are happy to have established ourselves in this niche market providing enthusiasts of the sport with comprehensive information, detailed reviews, timely previews, profile interviews, news and views, breeding and pedigree updates, racing statistics and lots of interesting racing information. Polo has been an intrinsic part of Racing World and we have tried to cover as many events as possible during the polo season. Over the past six years we have had writers from around the globe show interest in writing for Racing World and this has added a new dimension with an international perspective. Promoting all aspects of equine sport is our objective and we hope that those connected with the sport will contribute with ideas that will invoke more interest to those already involved with the sport as well as to attract new entrants to the game. We take this opportunity to thank all our supporters, advertisers, subscribers, contributors and the racing fan in general who have supported us this far. As we commence our 7th year of publication we look forward to your continued support.
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NOSTALGIA
The Classic Indian Turf Invitation Cup (Gr1) 1990
The 1990 Invitation Cup winner Desert Warrior would not have got a ribbon in
any horse show. A June foal, he was distinctly turned in, sparse,
angular and had a very common, but honest head
In fact, he was one of the few horses still rolling in the Poonawalla ring, just outside Gallops restaurant, at the 1988 RWITC Ltd Auction Sale in Mumbai, long after most of his companions had been sold off. Eventually he was purchased by Mr and Mrs R B Jain. An affluent scrap dealer, Mr Jain gave his newly purchased colt to trainer S K Sunderji. And in time, Desert Warrior was to show that he was a gutsy performer with a motor powerful enough to compensate for the deficiencies in his conformation.
Desert Warrior came to hand early enough to have his first start at the beginning of December. He acquitted himself fairly well, finishing a length second to the odds-on favourite, National Craze, trained by Raghunath. On Christmas day, he left the maiden ranks in the hands of Lazarus, with a stylish four-and-a-quarter length win to give his owners the Muffin Cup. Shroff had the ride on Desert Warrior when the colt came out for the N M Irani Trophy. With a strong stretch run, Shroff collared Way To Glory opposite the Members’ Stand and went on to win by a length. Aslam Kader’s objection for bumping and boring was upheld and the race
went to Way To Glory. Once again, a Raghunath-trained horse had proved to be a thorn in Desert Warrior’s side.
On Exhilaration’s Invitation Cup day, Shroff opted to ride the Riyahi filly Belle Epoque, in preference to Desert Warrior in the Mysore Trophy. So, Sunderji put Aslam Kader on his colt. Belle Epoque, the odds-on favourite, took the lead passing the First Enclosure, and was being hailed a winner when Aslam Kader’s powerful driving saw Desert Warrior come with raking strides to win by three-parts of a length. With two wins and two seconds from his first four starts, Desert Warrior had recovered a substantial part of his purchase price.
In Mumbai, Desert Warrior had looked a good, genuine horse in the making, someone certain to give his owners something to cheer about every time he ran. In Pune, he went well beyond that. He first ran in the F D Wadia Trophy...
An extract from the book
‘A Legacy of Champions’
The Indian Turf Invitation Cup
— by Srinivas Nargolkar
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