The Bangalore Summer Meeting kicked off in style on May 17, 2025, as the Bangalore Turf Club Ltd. welcomed racegoers back with a thrilling card. The season opener—the Ich Dien Plate—set the tone for what promises to be an exciting summer season at BTC. Contested over 1200 meters and open to horses rated 00 to 25, the race drew a competitive field of eleven runners and carried a prize purse of Rs. 4,50,000.
MEHRA, trained by Pradeep Annaiah and ridden confidently by Rayan Ahmed R, delivered a perfect start to the season. The filly surged ahead in the final strides to edge out a close field, clocking 1:18.83 in what turned into a photo-finish victory. MEHRA showcased both speed and grit in her finishing dash, leaving an immediate impression as one to watch this season.
Hot on her heels was MEGHANN, guided by jockey Ramswarup under the care of trainer Warren Singh. Despite a strong effort in the straight, MEGHANN was narrowly denied the win as she finished in 1:18.88, just 0.05 seconds off the winner. The pair will undoubtedly be aiming to go one better in their next outing.
Rounding off the top three was ESTEFANIA, with Aleemuddin in the saddle for trainer Arjun Mangalorkar. Clocking 1:19.35, Estefania stayed on gamely in the final stages, displaying consistency and promise for the weeks ahead.
MEHRA the favorite, her victory brought plenty of cheer to connections and racing enthusiasts alike. The atmosphere at BTC was electric, with fans enjoying a well-organized and engaging start to the new season.
Up next on the race card is the Kunigal Stud Plate, which is expected to further heighten the tempo of the summer meeting.
