The Pune Race Club comes alive on 12 October 2025 with eight riveting races, blending sprint speed, endurance, and tactical prowess. Each race has its own narrative, from handicap contests to prestigious Grade I and III events, making it a day of rich racing drama. Here’s a detailed look at the races, categories, contenders, and what to watch.
The Commander Trophy – 1:30 PM, 1400m, ₹6,50,000 (Handicap 40-66)
Opening the day is the Commander Trophy, a 40-66 handicap over 1400 meters. Eagle Day, with jockey Sonu Chouhan and trainer P. Shroff, is poised to set a strong pace. Ghirardelli (C. S. Jodha / Adhirajsingh Jodha) and Opus Dei (C. Umesh / Imtiaz A. Sait) bring late-charging potential, while Liam (A. Omkar / Nazzak B. Chenoy) and Amadeo (Mukesh Kumar / Adhirajsingh Jodha) could spring surprises if they find early rhythm. This handicap promises a competitive start to the day.
The Jayant M. Shah & Champak M. Shah Gold Trophy – 2:00 PM, 2400m, ₹5,50,000 (Handicap 20-46)
The stamina-testing Gold Trophy stretches over 2400 meters in a 20-46 handicap. Endurance (C. S. Jodha / Imtiaz A. Sait) looks likely to maintain a steady, tactical run. Land of Plenty (Ramswarup / Subhag Singh) and Esconido (Neeraj Rawal / S. Waheed) are set to challenge late in the stretch, while Cascade (T. S. Jodha / Behram Cama), Looking Like a Wow (Antony Raj S / Subhag Singh), and Viking (P. Trevor / Adhirajsingh Jodha) round out the field with strong finishing potential. The race will test both stamina and strategic riding.
The Pune Police Commissioner’s Trophy – 2:30 PM, 1200m, ₹5,50,000 (Handicap 20-46)
The 1200-meter Police Commissioner’s Trophy sprint highlights early speed and tactical bursts. Cinderella’s Dream (Aditya Waydande / Faisal A. Abbas) could dominate with an early lead. Escape Velocity (Ramswarup / Adhirajsingh Jodha) and El Moran (P. Trevor / Narendra Lagad) offer potent late runs, while Eastern Monarch (A. Sandesh / Sanjay Kolse), Joondalup (C. Umesh / James E. McKeown), and Starseed (T. S. Jodha / Nazzak B. Chenoy) ensure a tense finish, emphasizing every jockey’s strategy.
The Jimmy Umrigar Trophy Division I – 3:00 PM, 1400m, ₹12,00,000 (Maiden, 3 year old horses)
Afternoon stakes rise in the Jimmy Umrigar Trophy Division I, contest over 1400 meters. Alfonsine (K. Sai Kiran / Prasanna Kumar P) and Caradoc (P. Trevor / Dallas Todywalla) combine speed and experience. Skandha (T. S. Jodha / Nazzak B. Chenoy), Amaze and Inspire (Mukesh Kumar / Adhirajsingh Jodha), Bravo Zulu (A. Sandesh / Faisal A. Abbas), and Exciting (Vivek G / P. Shroff) complete a field where tactical decisions will define the winner.
The Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Grade III) – 3:30 PM, 1200m (4 yrs old & over)
The Grade III Sprint Million is always a spectacle for mature sprinters. Magileto (P. Trevor / Aman Altaf Hussain) leads the early pace, with Market King (N. S. Parmar / Imtiaz A. Sait) and Constable (A. Prakash / P. Shroff) ready to unleash late bursts. Dream Seller (A. Sandesh / P. S. Chouhan), Shambala (Antony Raj S / Nazzak B. Chenoy), and Christophany (Neeraj Rawal / Imtiaz A. Sait) round out a highly competitive sprint, promising a thrilling finish.
The Battle for Pune Supremacy – The Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby (Grade I) – 4:00 PM, 2000m (3 yrs old only)
The stage is set for the most electrifying contest of the day as the Grade I Pune Derby, a 2000-meter test of stamina, strategy, and sheer will, reserved exclusively for the finest three-year-olds. All eyes will be on Baychimo (Antony Raj S / Adhiraj Singh Jodha), the dark bay French Navy colt representing Diamond Band Racing Syndicate and Bachhawat Farms, expected to set a punishing early pace. Hot on his heels is Gunsmoke (Yash Narredu / M. Narredu), the Havana Gold colt whose explosive finishing burst could turn the race on its head.
The Derby field brims with potential, from Miracle of Hanukah (Mukesh Kumar / Aman Altaf Hussain), the French Navy gelding poised for a late surge, to Prokofiev (Suraj Narredu / Prasanna Kumar P.), the black gelding bred by the Poonawalla family, carrying tactical experience in every stride. Solidarity (R. Ajinkya / P. Shroff) and Superstar (A. Prakash / P. Shroff) add further depth, while Zacharias, Zafferano, and Golden Dancer promise to keep the pace honest and the finish heart-stopping.
Every furlong of the 2000 meters will demand precision from jockeys and courage from their mounts. With speed, stamina, and strategy colliding on the track, the Pune Derby 2025 promises a breathtaking climax where legends are made and racing glory is seized.
The Jimmy Umrigar Trophy Division II – 4:45 PM, 1400m, ₹12,00,000 (3 yrs old only)
Division II features emerging three-year-olds in a 1400-meter open contest. Claude (A. Sandesh / Adhirajsingh Jodha) and Tyrone Power (Amyn Merchant / Faisal A. Abbas) are strong contenders, with American Eagle (Mukesh Kumar / Shazaan Shah), Conjurer (Antony Raj S / B. Prithviraj), Ekatarina (Neeraj Rawal / Imtiaz A. Sait), and Her Charge (Bhawani Singh / Karthik Ganapathy) rounding out a fast and tactical race.
The Vinayak Salver – 5:15 PM, 1000m, ₹5,00,000 (Handicap 1-26)
The day concludes with the Vinayak Salver, a sharp 1000-meter sprint testing the quickest horses. Menjou’s Moustache (Ramswarup / Adhirajsingh Jodha) sets an early pace, while Adonis (Bhawani Singh / Vijay Kasbekar) and Ananya (S. J. Sunil / B. Prithviraj) provide late speed. Arbitrage (Haridas Gore / Rehanullah Khan), Red Mist (Mukesh Kumar / Adhirajsingh Jodha), and Flashman (Antony Raj S / Bezan Chenoy) ensure a high-energy finish to the day.
From handicap tests to Grade I derbies, the Pune Race Course (RWITC) on 12 Oct 2025 promises a diverse mix of races, each demanding strategy, speed, and stamina. For past results and insights, explore RaceBuzz Pune racing coverage.
