Horse racing in India holds a significant place in people’s hearts. While for some it might just be a sport, for others it is their life. Many pour their time and efforts into nurturing the finest racing horses and others invest and combine their skills with the horses to bring out the best performance on the track. The way the end of the year is celebrated with great enthusiasm, as people bid goodbye to all the memories they have collected during that time, the racing industry ends the racing season with a blast and an unforgettable time by organizing a huge event known as the Indian Racing Carnival.
First organized in the year 2023, this two-day long carnival, sponsored by Zavaray S. Poonawalla in association with BookMyShow and hosted by Royal Western India Club (RWITC) took place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd April. The second edition of this carnival was organized on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th April 2024. The Indian Racing Carnival is the biggest Indian racing event in the realm of horse racing which marks the conclusion of the racing season. With a tapestry of food, drinks, games, shopping, and a kids’ area this carnival offers fun for everyone. In two consecutive years, the carnival offered worth 3 crore stake money and prizes to be won over the weekend.
The third edition of the Indian Racing Carnival sponsored by Zavaray S. Poonawalla & Horse Power Sports League (HPSL) and hosted by Royal Western India Turf Club is set to be held on the weekend of April 5 and 6, 2025. The most prestigious racing event of the year will conclude the racing season that began on Sunday, November 24th marking its last day on 6th April 2025. The 2024-2025 racing season includes a total of 24 racing days and out of these numbers, 11 racing days are scheduled for evening to bring an exciting dimension to the racing season. The beginning of the first racing day to be held in the evening coincides with the most prestigious race in the Indian Classic Series, The HPSL Indian Derby (Gr.1).
The Schedule of The 24 Days Racing Season Is As Follows:
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November: 24
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December: 1, 8, 15, 22, 27 & 29.
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January: 5, 9, 11, 16 & 23.
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February: 1, 2, 9, 16, 20, 23 & 26
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March: 6, 16, 20, 23 & 30
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April: 5* & 6*
The Races Scheduled For Evening Are:
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February: 2, 20, 23 & 26.
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March: 6, 16, 20, 23 & 30.
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April: 6 & 7.
The Important Races To Be Held In The Racing Season of 2024-2025 are:
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JSK1 Indian 1000 Guineas & Mahalakshmi Sprint Million (Dec. 15).
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HPSL Indian 2000 Guineas (Dec. 22).
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Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Trophy & Gracias Saldanha Memorial Million (Dec. 29).
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Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks, R.R. Ruia Gold Cup & Gool S. Poonawalla Million (Jan. 11).
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Indian Derby (Feb. 2).
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Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (Feb. 23).
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Forbes Juvenile Fillies’ Championship & Shapoorji Pallonji Breeders Juvenile Colts’ Championship (Mar. 16).
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Indian Racing Carnival (5 & 6 April).
The Indian Racing Carnival is an event that celebrates the victories of the equines, jockeys, trainers, and owners who have contributed to the racing season with all their hearts. Along with horse racing, it offers various sources of entertainment such as live music and flea markets, reflecting the life of the party with people and fashion. The weekend will offer over 3.5 crore stake money and prizes. 8 Lacs with cash to be won by the lucky draw for all entering the members’ enclosures. Exciting prizes will also be awarded to the best-dressed Male, best-dressed Female, Best Dressed Couple on the second day of the carnival and the concluding day of the racing season.
The Racing Stakes of The Indian Racing Carnival 2025 Include:
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The C.N Wadia Gold Cup (Gr.2) – powered by Zavaray S. Poonawalla: 5.0 Million.
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The Maharaja Sir Harisinghji Trophy (Gr.3)- powered by Zavaray S. Poonawalla: 3.5 Million.
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The Zavaray S. Poonawalla Sprinters Challenge: 3.5 Million.
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Poonawalla Stud Farms Auction Sales Stakes: 5.0 Million.
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2 Juvenile Races: 3.0 Million Each.
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8 Handicap Sweepstake Races: 1.5 Million Each.
