Nuwara Eliya will come alive to the thunder of hooves
The Royal Turf Club (RTC) has planned an exciting Holiday Horse Racing Season with 3 races lined up in April. In addition to these 3 races, the RTC will feature 2 new events- a Pony Welfare Raffle Draw and the much anticipated Equine Ambulance, which is already at the Nuwara Eliya Racecourse.
The April Horse Racing season will kick off with the inaugural 'Selvaratnam Challenge Trophy' Raceday next Sunday (2), with 7 races on the cards. RTC President Panduka Keerthinanda told the Sunday Times that, he is highly pleased to head the RTC at a juncture when the sport is striving to regain its past glory, with animal welfare taking centre stage.
"We are always very concerned about the horses' welfare. That's the very reason why we have kept the doors open for the Sri Lanka Anti Doping Agency (SLADA) to conduct doping tests on horses. That has been a regularly exercise since the RTC was formed a couple of years ago. The RTC is pleased that its energetic set of officials have worked tirelessly for the wellbeing of the horses. We have a Equine Hospital within the precincts of the racecourse, and for immediate treatment, the RTC has finally managed to bring down the much awaited Equine Ambulance, which is a first for Sri Lanka," Keerthinanda stated.
The Equine Ambulance will be active from April 2, to attend to horses injured during races. To assist the process, the RTC has the services of Dr Jayachandra Balaji, a renowned veterinarian from India. In addition to the continuous projects to maintain the wellbeing of the horses, the RTC has another plan for the welfare of the ponies.
"The RTC is of the view that, not only the affluent, but even those less fortunate have a role to play in making this holiday season a memorable one for those who visit Nuwara Eliya. There are around 200 ponies in the area, with most of them used in and around the vicinity of the racecourse to provide rides to visitors. Many families are dependent on the ponies, but these animals are not well looked after. The 'Pony Welfare Raffle Draw' is to generate funds to help these animals and their owners with nutrition and medical treatment. We consider this as our duty too," Keerthinanda added.
The Pony Welfare Raffle and the Equine Ambulance will make its debut on April 2 with the Selvaratnam Challenge Trophy, which will be the main race this coming Sunday. The 1,600 metre race is a Class I Handicap battle, with most of the top thoroughbred horses in the local circuit expected to run. According to Keerthinanda, the Selvaratnam Challenge Trophy is to be an annual race sponsored by the Selvaratnam family, now domiciled in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Selvaratnam Trophy is dedicated to renowned jockey turned trainer Renga Selvaratnam.
"One of Renga (Selvaratnam)'s family members, Chavez, got in touch with the RTC, saying that the clan is keen on getting involved with horse racing in SL. Renga was a well respected jockey and trainer way back in the 1970s and early 1980s, before he took off to Pakistan in the mid `80s. From there he moved to the UAE and became a top trainer. His family continues to dominate the Dubai Horse Racing Circuits at different levels. The RTC is honoured to comply with their request to sponsor a trophy," he stated.
On April 2, the Selvaratnams- Gopi, Dhruba, Karthi and Chavez- are expected to grace the racecourse in Nuwara Eliya to present the Challenge Trophy. Of the foursome, Dhruba has a reputed name among trainers in Dubai, and one of the trainers appointed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the youngest son of the ruler of UAE. Over the years, Dhruba has worked with many famous horse racing legends including the likes of Lester Piggot, Bret Doyle, Jonny Murtagh and Willie Supple. He has had numerous successes including winning 6 out of 7 races at a single meeting, with jockey Willie Supple riding 5 of them, and holds the record of trainer with the most wins at the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
The Selvaratnam Challenge Trophy, a race that promises handsome cash awards for the winner, will be followed by the Magic Million Raceday on April 16 and the RTC Governors' Cup on April 25.