Madras Race Club Set for a Grand New Season
The cheers will soon return to Guindy. After the trainer’s embraces on the final day in March and jockeys waving gratefully to the crowd, the stands at the Madras Race Club are once again being readied for a fresh burst of racing life. For many in southern India, the start of the Madras Races 2025–2026 season is not merely a sporting calendar entry — it is the revival of a tradition that has carried the hopes and colours of generations.
A Season of Heritage and Anticipation
Racing at Guindy resumes on Saturday, 30 August 2025, marking the official opening of the Madras Race Club’s 2025–2026 season. The curtain only came down on 23 March this year, yet anticipation has been steadily mounting for the historic track’s return. The opening card promises competitive fare, with fans already talking about the Deepak Khaitan Memorial Guindy Gold Cup, the South India 1000 Guineas, and the South India 2000 Guineas — races that define the southern calendar.
September will host four consecutive Saturday meetings (6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th), while October follows with a blend of Saturday and Friday fixtures (4th, 10th, 18th, 24th, and 31st). November’s attractions include the prestigious Deepak Khaitan Memorial Guindy Gold Cup (Grade III) on Friday, 14 November, amid a run of Sunday and Saturday cards. December will deliver the seasonal highlights — the South India 1000 Guineas (Grade II) on 5 December, the South India 2000 Guineas (Grade II) on 13 December, and further contests leading into year’s end.
A New Year of High Drama
The racing action will again begin on the first day of the new year with the major highlight being The South India Oaks (Grade II) on the 21st day of the season. Racing then resumes on 13 January 2026 with two prestigious features, The Madras Race Club Commemoration Cup and The Dashmesh Stud Million, setting a vibrant tone for the month.
The very next day, 14 January, promises to be one of the biggest occasions of the year for racing fans. A quartet of celebrated fixtures will take centre stage — The South India Derby Stakes (Grade I), The Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Memorial Trophy (Grade III), The Usha Stud Million, and The Pongal Million — making for a day steeped in both heritage and competition.
Following this, Guindy will stage a card on 24 January before returning on 30 January with The South India Sprinters Trial Stakes and The South India Stayers Trial Stakes, two races that traditionally set the stage for championship-level contests.
February opens with The Madras Gold Vase (Grade III) on 6 February, followed by The South India St. Leger (Grade II) on 15 February. The month’s action will conclude with The Guindy Grand Prix (Grade III) on 21 February, bringing a flourish of speed and stamina.
March offers two final gatherings of the turf fraternity, on the 7th and 14th. Fittingly, the concluding day of the season — the 30th since its commencement — will fall on 14 March, closing the curtain on another historic chapter for the Madras Race Club.
Why This Season Matters
The 2025–2026 calendar offers more than just dates and trophies. It reflects the resilience of Indian turf culture, which has continued to thrive through decades of change. With southern India serving as one of the pillars of the sport, the Madras Race Club once again takes up its role as a stage for future champions.
From seasoned campaigners aiming to etch their names on the Gold Cup roll of honour to young three-year-olds eyeing classic glory in the Guineas, the season promises both drama and discovery. For spectators, it means weeks of adrenaline, pageantry, and the timeless spectacle of horse racing at one of India’s most historic venues.
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