Indian races at Kolkata will take centre stage on 11 January, Sunday as the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) hosts a ten-race programme, highlighted by the season’s premier classic, the Calcutta Derby Stakes over 2400 metres. The Kolkata Race Cards 11 January will showcase the depth of the domestic racing calendar, featuring a mix of lower-grade handicaps, age-restricted contests, and top-level events in a carefully structured afternoon of competition.
Racing will commence at 12:00 PM and will conclude at 4:30 PM, with the card progressing methodically from modest divisions to elite competition across sprint, middle-distance, and staying trips.
The programme will open with THE ALVARADA CUP, a Class V contest for horses rated 1–26, run over 1400 metres at 12:00 PM. The race will carry total prize money of Rs.3,00,000, with Banduk Wali, Dancing Queen, and Godsend Divine expected to form the field.
At 12:30 PM, staying ability will be examined in THE DESERT GOD CUP, a Class III race over 2400 metres. With Rs.5,00,000 in prize money, Stormy Ocean, Multiverse, and Vivaldi will contest the longest event of the afternoon.
The standard will rise at 1:00 PM with THE ASLAM KADER MEMORIAL CUP, a Class II mile race for horses rated 61–86. Run over 1600 metres and worth Rs.5,50,000, the contest will feature Golden Glow, Aabushan, and Zuri.
Sprint races will dominate the early afternoon, beginning with THE HALL OF FAMER CUP DIVISION I at 1:30 PM. This Class III contest over 1200 metres will carry Rs.5,00,000 in prize money and will include Aperol, All Time Legend, and Watch My Stride. DIVISION II will follow at 2:00 PM over the same distance and prize, with Superlative, Tycoonist, and Cat Whiskers set to compete.
At 2:30 PM, attention will turn to the three year old division in THE PERIN DALAL ALOKANANDA STAKES, a 1200-metre sprint offering Rs.15,36,000 in total prize money. Far Superior, Silver Dream, and Tetsu will contest an important developmental feature.
Class I runners will take the stage at 3:00 PM in THE HYDERABAD RACE CLUB CUP, a 1400-metre contest carrying Rs.7,50,000 in prize money. Blackstone, King’s Retreat, and Glorious King will represent the highest-rated performers on the card.
The meeting will reach its focal point at 3:30 PM with THE CALCUTTA DERBY STAKES (2025–2026) (GRADE I). Run over 2400 metres for four year olds only and worth Rs.1,28,27,500, the Derby will stand as the most prestigious and valuable race of the Indian season. Arrived, Duesenberg, and Gold Empire will line up in the classic, where stamina and composure will be decisive.
The programme will conclude with THE BLACK PEARL CUP, split into two Class IV races over 1400 metres. DIVISION I at 4:00 PM will be run for Rs.4,00,000, featuring Wonderful, Queen of Mafia, and Contessina. DIVISION II at 4:30 PM will also carry same prize and distance, with Noorie, California Condor, and Mehra closing the day’s racing.
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