The blue-riband Race No. 6, THE INDIAN CHAMPION CUP (Grade I), provided a stirring highlight at the Calcutta Races, Winter Meeting – Fifth Day, on Friday, 23rd January, 2026, as Duke Of Tuscany delivered a performance worthy of the occasion. Run over 2000 metres for four-year-old horses and over at 4:00 PM, the feature contest saw the P. Shroff-trained star score in emphatic fashion, following the Kolkata race result 23 January were treated to a top-class exhibition of balance, pace, and finishing power.
Owned by Ms Anita J. Captain, M/s Five Stars Shipping Company Pvt. Ltd. (rep. M/s K. N. Dhunjibhoy), Z. K. Dhunjibhoy & Ms Anosha Meyers, and Mr Rama Seshu Eyunni, Duke Of Tuscany stopped the clock at 2:05.554 under a confident ride from Suraj Narredu.
Breaking cleanly from the gates, Duke Of Tuscany was positioned with patience through the early stages as the field settled into a genuine tempo. Suraj Narredu allowed the gelding to find his rhythm before gradually edging closer approaching the final bend. Once angled out in the straight, Duke Of Tuscany responded gamely, lengthening stride by stride and asserting decisively inside the last furlong to seal the prestigious Grade I honours.
Golden Kingdom (J: M. S. Deora, T: Adhirajsingh Jodha) put up a brave challenge, staying on resolutely to finish second in 2:05.825, never allowing the winner to drift too far clear. Close behind, Trakila (J: P. Trevor, T: Aashay Doctor) ran an honest race to claim third place in 2:06.049, completing a competitive trifecta in the championship event.
With the Indian Champion Cup now in the books and the crowd still buzzing, attention quickly turns to the next contest on the card — THE DANCING PHOENIX HANDICAP at 4:30 PM, promising yet another engaging chapter in an action-packed afternoon at Kolkata Racecourse.
Stay tuned to RaceBuzz as the Kolkata Winter Meeting action continues.