Bangalore witnessed an exhilarating day at the races on February 14, as the Bangalore Turf Club hosted a grand Valentine’s Day Special Race Event. This unique race day brought together thrilling equestrian action, high-stakes competition, and an elegant showcase of fashion and style. With a special Valentine’s-themed race and an impressive lineup of contests, the event proved to be a memorable affair for racing enthusiasts and socialites alike.
The standout event of the day was undoubtedly The Century Valentine’s Million, a term race exclusively for maiden three-year-old horses. With a total prize purse of ₹10,36,000, it was the most lucrative race of the day, drawing immense attention from punters and racing aficionados. RAVISHING BEAUTY, trained by Prasanna Kumar and ridden by jockey David Allan, emerged victorious with a winning time of 1:25.88, while Ashwa Kali Bhani and Lightning Blitz secured second and third places, respectively, in this high-profile event.
The race day also saw thrilling contests across various categories. The Vani Vilasa Sagara Plate (Class 5, 1400m) saw TURKOMAN, trained by Imtiaz Khan and ridden by jockey R N Darshan, secure the win with a time of 1:27.57. The Bhadra Plate (Class 4, 1400m) was clinched by GLOW IN THE DARK , trained by Warren Singh and guided to victory by jockey A R Pradeep in 1:26.51.
The Tokino Minoru Trophy (Class 3, 2000m) witnessed ROCK BANK, trained by Prasanna Kumar and ridden by jockey Vivek G, cross the finish line first with a time of 2:05.98, followed by TOROBRAVO and ISABELLE. The Hoysala Salver (Class 1, 1400m) was another highly anticipated race, with VIVALDO, under jockey P Trevor, clinching the top prize of ₹7,50,000. IMPERIAL BLUE and VIJAYA FALCON rounded off the podium.
The Uttara Kannada Plate (Class 4, 1600m) was dominated by KRYSTALLOS, trained by S S Attaollahi and steered to victory by jockey P Trevor, finishing with a time of 1:38.21, ahead of SHE RULES and STENTORIAN. The final race of the day, The Vindication Plate (Class 3, 1200m), saw LAUTERBRUNNEN, trained by V Narayana Gowda and ridden by jockey P Kiran Rai, take the win, followed closely byPRIME ABBESS and SPRINGSTEEN.
The Valentine’s Day special wasn’t just about the races; it was also a spectacle of glamour and elegance. The “Dress to Impress” contest added a fashionable flair to the event, with exciting prizes awarded in the following categories: Best Dressed Gentleman, Best Dressed Lady, and Best Dressed Couple. Racegoers embraced the theme with stunning outfits, making the day a perfect blend of sport and style. The winners of the fashion contests were showered with accolades, adding to the festive atmosphere.
The Valentine’s Day Special Race Event at Bangalore Turf Club was an extraordinary experience, combining high-energy racing with elegance and entertainment. With a thrilling set of races, record-breaking performances, and an infusion of romance and fashion, this event has set the stage for what promises to be an annual tradition.
Racing enthusiasts and socialites alike are already looking forward to next year’s edition, anticipating another spectacular day at the Bangalore Turf Club.
