Big field lined up for Indian Derby

MUMBAI: The Indian Derby, the country’s premier horse racing event held in the city, might not have a sponsor this time but the 81st edition promises to be no lacklustre affair with as many as 18 competitors in fray at the iconic Mahalaxmi race course here on Sunday.

Despite a recent advisory on surrogate advertising keeping a leading liquor producer away from sponsoring the event this year, the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) has promised to dish out a total prize money of ₹2 crore for the Derby.

A big field of 19 horses signed up for the race before King Louis withdrew on Saturday on “veterinary grounds”, a notification on RWITC’s website read.

Shroff eyes hat-trick

Pesi Shroff, the renowned trainer, will be out to capture a hat-trick of Derby wins after victories by Zuccarelli (2022) and Immortality (2021). This time too, the Shroff-trained Supernatural and King’s Ransom are among the favourites across the 2400m distance.

Supernatural comes into the Derby having won The Ramniwas Ramnarain Ruia Gold Cup (2000m) in Mumbai last month while King’s Ransom, last year’s Pune derby champion, also had a photo finish at The Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks that runs over the 2400m course. Ace Indian jockey Suraj Narredu, who has a hat-trick of Derby titles but had to settle for a second-place finish last year, will look to get back to winning ways. He will ride the Satish Narredu-trained Shamrock. The famed Narredu family will also have the presence of trainer Malesh and jockey Yash (Suraj’s cousin) in the Derby.