Less than a month after winning The South India 2000 Guineas, KNOTTY LEGEND has proved that it is indeed a legend as it won The HPSL South India Derby Stakes (Gr.1) at Madras Race Course (MRC) on Tuesday, January 14th. Owned by a powerful group comprising K Kamesh, Ashok Ranpise, K Manoj Kumar, K Balamukunda Das, Srikanth Badruka, M N Nambiar, N Swaroop Kumar, and K Shasha Bindu Das, KNOTTY LEGEND finished the 2400-meter race in a time of 2:35.06. The elated duo of trainer Prasanna Kumar and jockey P Trevor were on cloud nine for securing the massive win in this derby, which had a total prize money of a whopping Rs. 1.39 cr, out of which the winner took home more than Rs. 85 lakh. Trained by Irfan Ghotala and ridden by L Alex Rozario, Rodney came in second, while Desert Hero, trained by N Ravinder Singh and ridden by Gaurav Singh, finished in third place.
Today coinciding with Makar Sankranti and Pongal saw a festive atmosphere at the MRC where the who’s who of the horse racing industry were present. A total of seven races were held on this action-packed day, showcasing competitive performances from some of the finest horses in the region. The opening event of the day, the Hyderabad Race Club Trophy, is a Class 3 handicap race for horses rated between 40 and 65, covering a distance of 1600 meters. The winner of this race was Key to the Mint, trained by Saddam Iqbal and ridden by N Darshan. The horse’s victory earned a reward of Rs. 3,85,000, while Queen Anula finished second and Red Falcon took third. The event’s total prize pool amounted to Rs. 7,14,000, with horses competing fiercely throughout the 1600-meter stretch.
Next, the Pongal Million, a Class 4 handicap for horses rated 20 to 45, covered a distance of 2000 meters. Torobravo emerged victorious under the guidance of trainer Irfan Ghatala and jockey L Alex Rozario. The prize money for this event was substantial, with the winner taking home Rs. 5,96,317. Golden Legend claimed second, and Gold Fame took third, with a total prize pool of Rs. 10,30,000 up for grabs in this highly competitive race.
Later on, the Turf Authorities of India Trophy saw horses rated between 60 and 85 compete in a 1200-meter sprint. Perfect Blend, trained by Saddam Iqbal and ridden by S Saqlain, triumphed in this Class 2 handicap event, claiming the winner’s share of Rs. 4,40,000. All Stars finished in second, followed by Swarga in third. The race offered a total prize pool of Rs. 8,16,000, making it another spectacular event that had fans on the edge of their seats.
In the following event, the Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Memorial Trophy (Gr.3), horses aged four years and over battled it out in a 1400-meter event. Shamrock, trained by Satish Narredu and ridden by Suraj Narredu, claimed the win, taking home Rs. 9,95,499. This prestigious race had a prize pool of Rs. 18,10,000, with Prana finishing second and Glorious King securing third place. The race showcased excellent horsemanship and training, highlighting the level of competition throughout the day’s events.
The Usha Stud Million featured maiden horses aged three years old only, running a distance of 1600 meters. Anigraha, trained by Vijay Singh and ridden by P Trevor, won this race, taking home Rs. 7,89,250. Laguna Seca finished second, while Cosette secured third. The total prize pool for the race was Rs. 14,35,000, making it a valuable event for both trainers and owners alike.
Finally, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club Trophy, a Class 4 handicap over 1400 meters, rounds out the day’s racing schedule. The results for this race are yet to be declared, but it promises to be an exciting conclusion to an action-packed day. The weather today was relatively warm, with a temperature of 28°C, providing a comfortable environment for both horses and spectators.
The races at the Madras Race Club today are a testament to the high level of competition and the dedication of the trainers, jockeys, and owners involved. Fans eagerly await the results of the final race, but the excitement and energy of the entire day have made this an unforgettable event.
