Epsom Derby, The Oaks and Gainsville's fillies.

POUR MOI won the Derby at Epsom earlier today in scintillating style, coming from way off the pace to pip Treasure Beach few strides from home. A horse who was last at Tattenham Corner, to come flying the way he did to win, speaks volumes for this son of Montjeu. His 2nd dam is a three parts sister to the 2nd dam of Gainsville's ex filly Bliss-Leavitt. Bliss-Leavitt ran a  few times and now is at Jai Govind Stud. Their 4th dams are Royal Statute. This is the family of Bosra Sham, Hector Protector, etc.


Yesterday's Oaks winner DANCING RAIN is by Danehill Dancer out of a mare going back to Canalette through Torbella, Torbella being the 4th dam. This is the same family as Dr. Devious, Brave Hunter, Barood, etc of Gainsville's 3yo winning filly GREATNESS.


Couple of years back, on this very blog I had written about how well Galileo and Montjeu would do at stud. They had recently been retired to stud and their offspring had just started racing. This year, the 2000 Guineas, Irish 1000 Guineas both have been won by Galileos. The Derby was won by a son of Montjeu and in second spot was a son of Galileo. Theres no looking back for these two young sires.


Gautam Lala

FRANKEL annihilates his rivals in the 2000 Guineas

FRANKEL won the 2000 Guineas by 6 lengths going start to finish. He led from the start by about 5 lengths and then increased that lead by over 10 lengths half way through the race and went to the post 6 lengths clear of his struggling 12 rivals. It was a very impressive victory indeed and he justified his short price. 


Now one waits to see if this son of Galileo will stay the trip in June or not. His pedigree shows enough stamina but his manner of running definitely puts a big question mark of doing it over 12 furlongs. He most likely will run the Dante which will show whats in store for him later on.


As for the Guineas, there is no doubt that we have seen yet another champion. An all time great.


Gautam Lala

The Volkswagen Vento Contest and The Shaman Million

I am sure the Members and Racegoers would have enjoyed the Volkswagen Vento Horses-to-Horsepower contest sponsored by The Shaman Group.


The owners of the Shaman Group who are friends of mine showed interest in doing something at the racecourse. A series of meetings followed starting from September in Pune 2010 after which we came up with what everyone experienced and saw on the 27th March and 3rd April.


The Horses-to-Horsepower contest saw a Volkswagen Vento being awarded to the winner on the 27th of March and the following week was the first running of The Shaman Million with a display of all their models, etc.

GREATNESS in great style !

 

Being led in by Gautam Lala(left)



Gainsville Stud's 3yo filly GREATNESS by Emerald Cat[USA] - Jungle Girl by Tecorno[USA] won as an 30/100 odds on favorite after some anxious moments at the start. She was to hit the front or sit second, but missed the kick and trailed the field till the bend. Thereafter suberbly partnered by S. A. Desousa, who brought her from the shortest run from the inside, then switched to the outside and went on for an easy victory. This was her 3rd career start. She had finished 2nd in both her earlier starts last December to Snow Blaze and Martinique.

 

GREATNESS was ridden by S.A.Desousa and is trained by Narendra Lagad. She is bred at the Pratap Stud Farm.

Privilege Of Seeing Superstars

We the racing fraternity have been extremely lucky and privileged to witness some racing superstars in the last 2 years. Others have had to wait decades after the likes of Secretariat and Nijinsky II.

SEA THE STARS

It started in the US last year with Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra. Then in Europe we saw what is probably the best turf horse of all times, namely Sea The Stars. Harbinger is another who merits mention after his King George victory.


Around the same time in India we saw the fabulous all conquering Jacqueline do what no one had done before.

FRANKEL

And finally towards the end of 2010 we've seen another superstar who promises to be better than the best. He's called Frankel.


Let's wait and see what 2011 has in store for us.


Gautam Lala.

Fantastic - FRANKEL Winning The Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes 2010

Stallion Register 2010

The new Stallion Register 2010 has been launched recently. I have personally put in a lot of thought, time and effort into turning an otherwise boring statutory publication into a world class coffee table book. It now comes in glossy A4 size and features all Stallions at stud in India with their extended pedigree, performance, sire reference, dam reference, progeny details, etc. The book also carries an Index to Sires and Maternal Grandsires, various statistics, lists of all breeding establishments in India with their contact details and much more. The book for the first time features photographs of most of the stallions in India. This is truly a collector's piece.

Well done to Satish Iyer (Registrar) and the Stud Book Department for executing this task brilliantly. A copy can be bought from them. 


Special thanks to all the advertisers - British Bloodstock Marketing, Dashmesh Group of Farms, Equus Group of Farms, Helpro Health Products & Services, Hugo Merry Bloodstock, Indiahorsesale.com, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Nanoli Stud, Racing World, Radiant Bloodstock, Ruia Stud, Tattersalls, Lucky Spinner and Turf Printing Works (Cole).

Happy New Year

Here's Wishing Everyone A Wonderful 2011 !