The final race day of the Bangalore Winter Meet on March 22, 2025, was nothing short of spectacular, bringing an electrifying close to the season. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as racing enthusiasts gathered to witness the grand finale. With high-stakes battles, unexpected upsets, and thrilling finishes, the day encapsulated everything that makes horse racing an exhilarating sport. The energy in the stands was palpable, as each race unfolded with breathtaking intensity, setting the perfect stage for an unforgettable conclusion to the season.
The Governor’s Trophy at 4:15 PM was the undisputed highlight of the day. In a stunning upset, Gold Empire, guided by the seasoned Suraj Narredu, stormed to victory with a remarkable 1:38.86 finish, outclassing the favored Cigar Galaxy and second-favorite Darrington. The much-anticipated clash saw Cigar Galaxy finishing a length and three-quarters behind, clocking 1:38.96, while Darrington lagged a further three-quarters of a length behind at 1:39.24. Midnight Blue rounded off the top four, trailing just behind in 1:39.37. Trainer Rajesh Narredu’s impeccable training regimen propelled Gold Empire to glory, shaking up expectations and leaving racing enthusiasts in awe.
The day commenced with The Infinite Stakes Maiden at 12:45 PM, where Pole Star, ridden by Vivek G, showcased his raw potential with a winning time of 1:13.11, trained to perfection by Prasanna Kumar. Husanara and Ransomware followed in second and third, respectively, in a tightly contested race.
In The Press Reporters Cup Div II, Treasure Chest, under the guidance of jockey P Trevor, secured victory in 1:26.89, with trainer S Dominic’s strategy paying off. Sea Diamond and Anchorage trailed behind but put up a valiant effort over 1400 meters. The Champion Jockey Trophy Div II saw N R I Victory living up to its name with an impressive 1:26.50 finish, guided by VR Jagadeesh and trained by Md Sajid Qu’shi. Star Honour and Gismo followed, but neither could match the pace of the winner.
Mystical Air claimed The Press Reporters Cup Div I with P Trevor in the saddle, finishing in 1:26.71. Trainer SS Attaollahi’s tactical preparation shone through as Double Vision and Super Kind fought hard but settled for second and third. The Champion Trainer Trophy at 2:45 PM delivered another thrilling moment as All Attraction, guided by Koshi Kumar and trained by V Lokanath, surged to victory with a time of 1:23.97, outpacing Baashha and Prophecy in a captivating duel.
The Leading Stud Trophy belonged to N R I Ace, who covered the 1200-meter stretch in 1:12.97 under the skilled hands of Antony Raj S. Trainer Md Sajid Qu’shi’s meticulous planning paid off as Aherne and Agera followed closely but couldn’t topple the frontrunner. The Leading Owner Trophy at 3:45 PM saw Elpenor seizing a hard-fought victory in 1:38.20 with Shreyas Singh S at the helm, outmaneuvering Auspicious Queen and Sekhmet in a battle of endurance over 1600 meters.
As the day wound down, the Champion Jockey Trophy Div I saw Connecting Dots securing a well-fought victory in 1:26.23, with jockey Darshan RN executing a flawless ride under trainer V Lokanath’s guidance. Priceless Prince and Desert Goddess followed, unable to match the winner’s pace. The concluding race, The Good-bye Cup at 5:15 PM, fittingly ended with a dramatic finish as Chinky Pinky, ridden by P Trevor and trained by M Rajendra Singh, clinched victory in 1:16.18, narrowly defeating Legendary Impact by a mere fraction of a second.
The grand finale of the Bangalore Winter Meet was a spectacle of skill, strategy, and unexpected triumphs. With favorites falling and dark horses emerging victorious, the racing season closed on an exhilarating note, setting the stage for what promises to be an even more thrilling summer season. Racing aficionados will undoubtedly be eager to see if Gold Empire’s sensational upset marks the beginning of a dominant new force on the turf.
