Tom Marquand Steers Fynbos to Victory in The Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Derby at Mahalaxmi Racecourse

The marquee Race No. 7, The Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Derby (Grade I), lit up the Mumbai Meeting 2025/26 – Eleventh Day at Mahalaxmi Racecourse on Sunday, 1st February 2026, as FYNBOS delivered a performance of class and composure over the 2400m trip at 05:45 PM. In what will stand out in the Mumbai race result 1 February narrative, the four-year-old Indian-bred colt justified top billing, stopping the clock at 2:27:620 under a polished ride from Tom Marquand for champion trainer P. Shroff.

Racing in the colours of Mr K N Dhunjibhoy, Mr Z K Dhunjibhoy & Ms Anosha Meyers rep Five Stars Shipping Co Pvt Ltd, Mr Vispi R Patel & Ms Anita J Captain, Fynbos travelled smoothly through the early stages before being unleashed in the home straight. Once asked to extend, she responded decisively, drawing clear with an effortless stride to seal India’s most prestigious racing crown.

SOVEREIGN KING (J: Akshay Kumar, T: Adhirajsingh Jodha) fought on bravely to claim second place in 2:28:452, while KINGS GAMBIT (J: Yash Narredu, T: P. Shroff) stayed on strongly for third in 2:28:796. RED BISHOP (J: P. Trevor, T: P. Shroff) finished fourth in 2:28:958, narrowly ahead of BAYCHIMO (J: Suraj Narredu, T: Adhirajsingh Jodha), who clocked 2:29:213 in fifth. Completing the field, ZACHARIAS (J: Vivek G., T: P. Shroff) crossed the line sixth in 2:29:420, rounding off a high-quality Derby contest.

With the Indian Derby now written into the record books, the Mumbai card rolls on with the upcoming Coromandel Gromor Million powered by Coromandel International Ltd, scheduled for 06:35 PM, as excitement continues to build at Mahalaxmi Racecourse.