Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC)’s Derby weekend 2025 kicked off with a bang on Saturday at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai! The first day saw a huge rush of people, and tomorrow (Sunday 2nd February) promises to be even bigger as the highly anticipated Indian Derby 2025 would take place here, and a sea of people is expected to gather for the biggest race of the year in India.
The day at the Mumbai Meeting 2024/25, Eleventh Day, held on Saturday, 1st February 2025, was nothing short of spectacular. With a pleasant temperature of 26°C, the vibrant atmosphere at the racecourse was electrifying as eight exciting races unfolded. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly TIME AND TIDE‘s incredible victory in the Dr S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Gr.2). Clocking in at 1:09:06, TIME AND TIDE made an impressive mark in the race, sealing the win with grace and power.
The fifth race of the day, the Dr S C Jain Sprinters’ Championship (Gr.2), not only had the most thrilling finish but also carried the largest total prize purse of ₹20,00,000. Trained by Adjiraj S Jodha, TIME AND TIDE claimed the top prize of ₹12,00,000, with a remarkable performance under jockey A. Sandesh’s expert handling. MISS AMERICAN PIE and DREAM SELLER rounded out the podium, securing ₹4,40,000 and ₹2,40,000, respectively. This sprint race lived up to its hype, delivering a spectacular showcase of speed and skill.
The first race of the day, The Forest Flair Trophy, featured Class 5 horses aged five years and older, rated between 1 and 26. The 1000m race saw ADONIS, ridden by jockey Bhawani Singh and trained by Vijay Kasbekar, take the win, earning ₹2,35,000. The race was competitive, with MILLI and UNTITLED finishing second and third, respectively. The time for the winner was well within the standard set by past records, adding to the race’s intensity.
Next up was The Weizhou Trophy Div-2, which was held over 1600m. ESCONIDO triumphed in this race, earning ₹2,35,000 with jockey S. Zervan riding under the training of S. Waheed. The runner-up, ALPHA GENE, and third-placed MOHSIN both fought hard, but ESCONIDO showed superior form to clinch the victory. This race was one to remember, with a strong field of horses pushing their limits.
In the third race, The Enigma Trophy Div-1, it was QUICKER that took the top prize. With jockey Aditya Waydande guiding the horse to victory under trainer M. Narredu, QUICKER showed his class over the 1200m distance, earning ₹2,58,500. DIVINE STAR and ELOQUENT rounded out the top three, demonstrating great resilience throughout the race.
The Weizhou Trophy Div-1, held at 1600m, followed next and saw STALIN emerging victorious. Under jockey Antony Raj S. and trainer Imtiaz A. Sait, STALIN managed to pull ahead of RED DUST and CONTINENTAL DRIFT, both strong contenders in this competitive race. The victory earned STALIN ₹2,35,000, cementing the horse’s place among the day’s champions.
The Tattersalls Million, held as Race 6, was a race full of promise. With 1000m on the line, RAFAEL, trained by Adhirajsingh Jodha and ridden by C. S. Jodha, claimed victory in this maiden race for 3-year-old horses. RAFAEL took home ₹9,00,000, with EASTERN MONARCH and EXCITING finishing in second and third positions, respectively. The competition was fierce, but RAFAEL held his ground.
In Race 7, The Lexus Cup, the 1600m race saw ARDAKAN, ridden by A. Sandesh and trained by P. S. Chouhan, take the win. ARDAKAN secured ₹3,05,500, edging out CHAGALL and ANGELO, who finished second and third, respectively. This race was another exhilarating display of strategy and stamina, making it a fan favorite.
Finally, in The Enigma Trophy Div-2, AMADEO stole the show. Under the guidance of jockey P. Trevor and trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha, AMADEO clinched victory, earning ₹2,58,500. FLASHMAN and DAULAT MAI followed closely behind, securing second and third place finishes. The 1200m race provided an exciting conclusion to a day full of spectacular performances.
This remarkable day at the Mumbai MeetinTime and Tide’s spectacular win, sets the stage for Indian Derby 2025 at Mahalaxmig 2024/25, Eleventh Day, saw a wide range of thrilling races, with incredible performances across the board. From sprinters to stayers, the event showcased some of the finest racing talent in India.
