INDIAN DERBY

An Introduction Indian derby was started 57 years ago and presently is sponsored by the Beer baron Vijay Mallya. The name for this fun filled event is 'McDowell Indian Derby'. In a sport so closely associated with fun, glamour, riches, luck and the like, these come as no surprise. Top hats, coat tails and diaphanous veils along with the ladies in microminis, deep necks, shallow glitterati gossip, thick make up and thin bodies make Mahalaxmi race course, Mumbai a place of glamour parade.

Unforgettable Past Over the 57 years since the country's premier race - the Indian Derby - was first run, there have been several significant incidents and controversies. Here are some notable highlights during the running of the Indian Derby.

1946-47 - A Terrible Accident. The season was dominated by the exceptional feats of that great filly, Her Majesty, even though she did not win the Indian Derby! In view of a her superlative record, nothing less than a stunning victory was expected from her in the race, for which she started favorite as 6 to 1 on. Here she met her old rival Bucephalus, whom she had trounced on both the occasions they had met. Five furlongs from the start, there was high drama when Her Majesty's pacemaker, Equity, broke a fetlock and collapsed. W.T.Evans, on Her Majesty was just behind her stablemate, and was unable to avoid hitting Equity. With superb horsemanship, however, Evans managed to keep the filly on her feet.

1948-49 - The First Success For An Indian Jockey. Four of the first six Indian Derbies had fallen to fillies. In 1949 along came a top class colt. His name was Balam, a horse of captivating appearance. He turned out to be one of the most illustrious Indian breeds of all time.

1955-56 - Riots Postpone Racing. Originally scheduled for January 29th the Indian Derby of 1956 was postponed to Feb 12 due to disturbed conditions in the city of Mumbai. It was the time of infamous linguistic riots. The fortnights respite turned out favorable for the ultimate winner, Star Of Gwalior. Bred at the Manjri Stud, this backward four- year- old made astonishing improvement to pull off a sensational victory in the Indian Derby.

Illustrious Present. When Smart Chieftan galloped to the winning post on 6th Feb 2000, the collective whoop of the 76,357 punters who had bet on the colt rent the air. The hot favorite conquered the McDowell Indian Derby 2000 in a most sensational and exciting win, claiming Rs 43 lakh and a momento valued at Rs 1 lakh. Guided by jockey R.Hughes, the horse had a rough passage at 400 meters and wasn't getting an opening. Not to be put out the rider took him outside and 50 meters to home. Even then, Smart Chieftan looked precarious and appeared to be fighting a loosing battle. Just then the runner and the rider prevailed over Ray of Light, which looked set to steal the victory from the colt. After the race Smart Chieftan, owned by Dr M.M.

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