The Indian racing fraternity will witness the end of a historic chapter this weekend, as veteran trainer S. Ganapathy prepares to retire from active competition following the Zavaray S. Poonawalla Bangalore Summer Derby at the Bangalore Turf Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025. A career that has quietly defined excellence over the past five decades will draw to a close, leaving behind a legacy unmatched in its depth, discipline, and dignity.
Ganapathy’s contribution to Indian racing is not measured merely in statistics, though those are remarkable in themselves. With 950 career winners, including 187 Group race victories, 25 Derby wins among them two Indian Derbies and four Invitation Cups his record places him firmly in the pantheon of India’s greatest trainers. He has triumphed in all the major Indian Classics: 18 wins in the Indian 1,000 Guineas, 16 in the Indian 2,000 Guineas, 12 Indian Oaks, and 8 Indian St. Legers, alongside notable victories in preparatory races such as the Fillies’ Trial Stakes (9 wins) and Colts’ Trial Stakes (6 wins).
But to focus only on numbers would be to miss the essence of Ganapathy’s story. His rise was not meteoric, but methodical a steady journey rooted in discipline, study, and an abiding respect for the horse. Colleagues speak of a man rarely flustered, always observant, and deeply engaged in the preparation of his horses. He was a fixture at morning trackwork, notebook in hand, watching every stride, every gallop. To many in the sport, his barn represented an institute of horsemanship one that produced not only winning thoroughbreds but generations of skilled racing professionals.
Ganapathy’s influence extended beyond Indian shores as well. In 2007, his champion Mystical made history at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, securing two prestigious victories, including the Property Weekly Cup. These international wins marked a breakthrough for Indian racing on the global stage and remain among the proudest achievements of his storied career.
Despite his monumental success, Ganapathy remained a reserved figure, letting results speak in his place. Owners, jockeys, and fellow trainers often referred to him as a “trainer’s trainer” someone who prioritized process over pomp, and substance over spectacle. He was not one to chase headlines, but his horses delivered them time and again.
In his retirement letter to the Bangalore Turf Club, Ganapathy reflected on a journey spanning nearly five decades, describing the club as his “second home” and his career as “an absolute dream.” He extended heartfelt thanks to the Chairman, Committee Members, Officials, Veterinary Doctors, and Staff who supported him throughout his career, as well as to the owners and breeders who entrusted him with their finest horses, and the jockeys who partnered with him over the years. He also acknowledged the Karnataka Trainers Association and his fellow trainers for their support and goodwill. But above all, it was his tribute to the horses that stood out a sincere expression of gratitude and affection for the very athletes who gave his life in racing its meaning.
“Although I am stepping away from daily training, my love for the horses and the memories we have made together will stay with me forever,” he wrote. “I look forward to this next chapter with gratitude for everything the past has given me.”
As he steps away from active training, the baton is already being carried forward within the family. His sons, Karthik Ganapathy and Arvind Ganapathy, have both followed in his footsteps and are making their own mark as licensed trainers. Their presence ensures that the Ganapathy name will continue to feature prominently on Indian racecards a testament to the strong foundations laid by their father. The family’s contribution to the sport has become generational, with knowledge and values being passed down like a prized bloodline.
On Sunday, when the Derby field lines up at Bangalore, the atmosphere will carry more weight than usual. For those who know the sport, it won’t just be about which horse crosses the finish line first. It will be about honoring a man who helped shape the very fabric of Indian turf racing who led with humility, trained with precision, and exits with the respect of an entire industry.
S. Ganapathy may no longer be seen pacing the paddock or overseeing workouts at dawn, but his impact will endure. In every well-schooled horse, in every carefully executed race plan, and in every trainer striving for quiet perfection, his influence will remain a legacy not just remembered, but lived.
