The Royal Western India Turf Club is set to host the Ladies Derby at the Mahalakshmi Race Course, a thrilling event on January 11. The most exciting part of this event is that entry for ladies is free. In addition to the thrilling races, the event will feature a variety of activities, including live music, food stalls, and merchandise stalls.
The most awaited race of the day, The Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Grade 1) for fillies (4 years only only, will take place at 4 PM and cover a distance of 2400 meters. The prize money for this race is ₹50,00,000, with the winner set to receive ₹30,37,500. A total of ten participants are set to compete in this race, including prominent names such as Field of Dreams, owned by Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla, Adar C. Poonawalla, Natasha A. Poonawalla representing Villoo Poonawalla Racing & Breeding Pvt. Ltd., Munchi P. Shroff, D. R. Thacker representing DT Racing & Breeders LLP, Kairus Dadachanji, S. R. Sanas, Saleem Fazelbhoy, and Mukul Sonawala. Other key contestants include Psychic Star, owned by Vijay B. Shirke, Jay V. Shirke, Liane Luthria, and Ameeta Mehra, and Substantial, owned by Gautam Lala representing Gainsville Stud & Agri Farm Pvt. Ltd., Kishore P. Rungta, S. R. Sanas, Achuthan Siddharth, Saleem Fazelbhoy, Ajay K. Arora, and Ameeta Mehra.
Another exciting race of the day is The Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Grade 3), in which the competing horses will cover a distance of 1200 meters. A total of nine horses are participating in this race, which offers a prize money of ₹15,00,000. Among the notable competitors are Giacomo, owned by Zavaray S. Poonawalla, Behroze Z. Poonawalla, Yohan Z. Poonawalla, Michelle Y. Poonawalla, Delna Z. Poonawalla, Simone Poonawalla Pandole, and Rishad N. Pandole; Matisse, owned by K. N. Dhunjibhoy, Z. K. Dhunjibhoy, and Anosha Meyers; and Rosario, owned by Vijay B. Shirke and Jay V. Shirke.
The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (Grade 3) will take place at 3:30 PM and will cover a distance of 2000 meters. A total of eight horses are participating, including the prominent entry Golden Thunder, owned by Arun Alagappan representing Arun Alagappan Racing LLP. The horse will be ridden by prominent jockey from UK, David Allan.
The Ladies Derby will begin with The Tricumdas Dwarkadas Trophy Div-1, covering a distance of 1200 meters. There are eleven horses competing in this race, which has a total prize money of ₹5,50,000. Some of the notable names include Escape Velocity, Ghirardelli, Cordelia, and Aafreen. Other races scheduled for the day include The P. D. Avasia Trophy, The Roberta Trophy, and The Uttam Singh Trophy.
The eventful day will conclude with the final race, The Marchetta Trophy, which will cover a distance of 1600 meters.
