The Royal Western India Turf Club’s Mumbai Meeting 2025/26 got underway in assured fashion on Sunday, 21st December 2025, as Race No. 1 – The Castlebridge Trophy, a Class V contest for Indian horses rated 1 to 26, five years old and over, was run over 1400 metres at 12:45 PM. Producing a performance full of control and finishing strength, Madison (J: Neeraj Rawal) delivered a decisive victory for trainer Nirad Karanjawala, stopping the clock at 1:26:171 for owners M/s Parag C Mengale & Amit Vilas Malvadkar. The opening result added early clarity to the Mumbai race result 21 December, setting the tone for the afternoon ahead.
Settled into a handy rhythm through the early stages, Madison travelled smoothly as the field negotiated the bend, with Neeraj Rawal content to let the race unfold in front of him. Once angled out in the straight, the gelding responded willingly, lengthening stride when asked and asserting superiority inside the final furlong to put the issue beyond doubt.
The chase for minor honours saw Ashwa Ankara (J: K. Nazil, T: Sangramsinh N. Joshi) run on steadily to secure second place after staying on resolutely, while Marlboro Man (J: Ramswarup, T: Subhag Singh) finished on to claim third, completing the frame in a competitive opener.
With the Castlebridge Trophy settled, attention now turns to the Synthesis Trophy Div I, scheduled for 1:15 PM, as the Mumbai card continues to build toward its key contests of the day.
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