India’s biggest and most prestigious horse racing weekend concluded with the Indian Derby 2025 at the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), Mumbai, on Sunday. The anticipation had been building for months, and as the gates of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse opened, a sea of eager spectators poured in, ready to witness history unfold. The electric atmosphere, the rhythmic pounding of hooves on the turf, and the clash of the finest thoroughbreds in the nation set the stage for an unforgettable evening.
The excitement remained high throughout the day, with seven races leading up to the grand finale. The most awaited event, the HPSL Indian Derby (Gr.1), drew bettors, horse racing connoisseurs, and casual spectators alike. With its rich legacy and massive prize purse, the race was the highlight of the season. As the gates flew open, the tension was palpable, and in a thrilling finish, RANQUELINO emerged victorious, edging out PYRITE and POSITANO in a contest that will be remembered for years to come.
The day had begun with The Coromandel Gromor Million, a 1200m sprint for Class 2 horses. CONSTABLE, trained by Pesi Shroff and ridden by Vivek G, secured the win in 1:09.132, taking home Rs. 7,05,000. Displaying sheer dominance in the final stretch, he left AZRINAZ and ATAASH trailing behind.
The second race, The Keki D Mehta Memorial Million, a 1600m maiden race for three-year-olds, saw FYNBOS emerge victorious in 1:36.554. Trained by Pesi Shroff and ridden by P Trevor, FYNBOS lived up to expectations, securing Rs. 9,00,000 in winnings. DIEGO GARCIA and KING’S GAMBIT completed the top three, making for an exciting finish.
The Rusi Patel Trophy (Gr.3) provided another exhilarating moment, as ONCE YOU GO BLACK delivered a commanding performance in the 1600m race. The crowd roared as jockey David Allan guided the James E. McKeown-trained champion to victory, finishing in 1:35.825. The battle for second place between EL GRECO and SIEGE COURAGEOUS kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The Sir Homi Mehta Breeders’ Produce Stakes witnessed a strong performance from PROKOFIEV, trained by Prasanna Kumar and ridden by David Allan. Covering the 1400m distance in 1:22.226, PROKOFIEV held off challenges from SOVEREIGN KING and UNSMOKE, who finished in 1:22.46 and 1:22.49, respectively.
A standout performance came in the fifth race, the Thackers Eclipse Stakes of India (Gr.2), where ZUCCARO set a record-breaking time of 1:59.457 in the 2000m race. Under the expert guidance of jockey Oisin Murphy and trainer Pesi Shroff, ZUCCARO outpaced EVALDO and GALAHAD to claim a handsome prize of Rs. 18,00,000.
The sixth race, The B K Rattonsey Memorial Maiden Multi-Million, saw BIG BAY triumph in the 1200m sprint, securing Rs. 15,00,000. Trained by Malesh Narredu and ridden by Yash Narredu, BIG BAY finished ahead of MIRACLE STAR and MERLET, who took second and third place, respectively.
Following the grandeur of the Indian Derby, the eighth race, In Memory of Enabler Million, provided another engaging contest in the 1400m Class 4 category. HJ Antia-trained HAGIBIS, ridden by Mustakim Alam, clinched victory in 1:22.412, with THE MILENIUM FORCE and KING KE following closely behind in a race that unfolded under the floodlights.
The ninth and final race of the evening, The Rustomjee Golden Million Legacy, saw NELSON RIVER claim victory in the 1200m race, finishing in 1:11.321. Jockey Antony Raj S. and trainer HJ Antia celebrated as their horse crossed the finish line, securing Rs. 4,70,000.
With record-breaking performances, thrilling finishes, and unforgettable moments, the Indian Derby weekend reaffirmed its status as the pinnacle of Indian horse racing. As the echoes of celebration fade, anticipation for the next season has already begun, with fans eager to witness another chapter of excellence unfold at Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
