Madras Race Club results once again delivered a rich afternoon of competitive racing in Chennai on 13 September, highlighted by the much-anticipated Stewards Cup. Across six races, punters and fans were treated to a blend of promising youngsters, established handicappers, and a pulsating feature that showcased resilience and class.
The opening sprints spark energy
The day began with the Midnight Cowboy Handicap over 1100 metres (₹6.12 lakhs), where Saint Emilion, trained by Suraj Shaw and ridden by Pavan, made every stride count. Owned by Arun Alagappan Racing LLP, Mr Haider Soomar, Mr Rajan Aggarwal, and M/s Rapar’s Galloping Stars LLP (represented by Mr Rajendran), along with prominent patrons, the filly stopped the clock at 1:07.231, holding off Black Floral and Western Girl in a blanket finish. It set the tone for a lively afternoon under warm Chennai skies.
The Commanche Handicap stretched to 1400 metres for Class V contenders. Saintly Star, racing in the silks of Aditya P. Thackersey, broke through under jockey Koshi Kumar for trainer B. Suresh, earning ₹5.10 lakhs. His late surge edged past Aviothic and Avantador, with only fractions separating the top three.
A maiden breakthrough in the Kranchi Plate
The Kranchi Plate, reserved for three-year-olds and carrying a purse of ₹11.22 lakhs, delivered a stylish maiden victory for Shibra. Guided by A. Ashhad Asbar for trainer H. Zulquarnain, she clocked 1:13.917 over 1200 metres, denying fancied rivals Black Diamond and Elsa. This performance marked her as one to follow as the season progresses.
The Stewards Cup: a feature worthy of its billing
The afternoon’s centrepiece, the Stewards Cup, promised high-class action and delivered. Fielding horses rated 80 and above, the 1200-metre dash produced a thrilling finish as Never Give In, trained by Arjun Mangalorkar and ridden by Antony Raj S, scored a career-best. He held off Crown Drive and Decacorn, with under a length separating the trio. The winning time of 1:11.307 underlined both his consistency and the sharp preparation of the Bangalore stable.
The victory added another feather to the ownership group led by Mr N. Nitin Chengappa, M/s Rapar’s Galloping Stars LLP, M/s Arun Alagappan Racing LLP, Mr Adil K. Gandhy, Mrs Yashika Apana, Mr Gautam Basapa, Mr V. Narayanan, Mr J. Krishnadev Rao, Mr Ravikanth Badruka, and Mr N. R. Nandan, who continue to make their presence felt across Indian circuits.
Middle-distance tests keep the card alive
The Topmost Handicap (1600m) brought stamina into play, where Blue Picasso (M/s So Blest Trading Co Pvt Ltd, Mr Mukul A Sonawala, Mr Kersi H Vachha & Mr Darius R Byramji), confidently ridden by Antony Raj S for trainer Darius Byramji, surged clear late. He timed 1:40.850, keeping Legacy and Balgownie at bay, reaffirming Byramji’s knack for success in Chennai middle-distance races.
The day closed with the Prince Royal Handicap (1400m, Class III), where Disciple, representing Ms Ameeta Mehra, Mr Joydeep Datta Gupta, Mr Rajan Aggarwal & Mr Gautam Aggarwal, justified trainer Arjun Mangalorkar’s confidence. Once again, Antony Raj S was in command, steering home in 1:25.246 ahead of Vishwas and Romping Home. The consistency of both horse and jockey reflected the strong form carried by Mangalorkar’s team into this meeting.
A day of balance and promise
Six races at Chennai’s Guindy track yielded a rich mix—front-running resilience, maiden breakthroughs, and the tight finishes that define Indian racing. Above all, the Stewards Cup reinforced why the Madras Race Club results continue to captivate, balancing tradition with the emergence of new stars.
As the season rolls on, these performances will ripple into handicaps and feature days elsewhere. For punters tracking form lines, the Chennai card offered plenty of clues worth carrying forward.
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