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| Horse racing dreamstime.com |
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| Royal Calcutta Turf ClubPolka Cafe |
In the early stages, the horse races were held purely as a sporting event mainly for the purpose of entertainment on holidays. Over a period of time, economic interest and gambling became a keen attraction, rather a major preoccupation, generating worldwide market worth more than $125 billion. In many countries this has led to the nexus between race clubs and the underworld of criminals and cheats.
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| Horse racing pixta.jt |
Horse racing in India is just over 200 years old. Madras, now Chennai took the honor of conducting the first racecourse in the country in 1777, during the early colonial period under the EIC rule. Horse racing, to the British was a symbol of aristocracy, power and regal dominance The turf clubs provided a chance to pick up companion in the colonial days when the newly arrived young British felt lonely away from home land.
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Today, Horse racing in India is on a firm footing with well established organization taking care of racing events and breeding (stud) industry. The Indian government has a racing authority to oversee the activities of racing clubs to curb malpractices. The racing event in India is conducted on nine racetracks by six racing authorities. With imported stallions Indian-breed horses are used in the races and the Indian Stud Book keeps records of all thoroughbred breeding activity in India. India has a mix of both pool betting and traditional bookmakers. The six important and active turf clubs in India are:
Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) - conducts racing in Mumbai from November to May and in Pune from July to November.
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| twitter.com |
Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) - conducts racing in Mumbai from November to May and in Pune from July to November.
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| RWITC, Pune, MH Almy.com |
Sir Charles Forbes, G Hall, A Campbell and P Haddow started in 1800 Bombay Turf Club in Byculla grounds that they acquired through the good offices of Dorabji Rustomji of Bombay, big business company. Race tracks were developed by converting the marshy or semi land by the Club. Each Race clubs run by certain number of members (selection based on ballot voting) in the storied gallery the balcony of the clubhouse was used as a private stand for the honorable Members.
The name was rechanged to the Western India Turf Club. In 1819 the first horse race was held in Pune with a 100-guinea cup donated by the British Resident and later Governor of Bombay, the Hon. Mr Mountstuart Elphinstone, as the trophy – one year after the end of the Last Anglo-Maratha War and the Peshwa's reign. In 1830 the Pune Race Course was built on the present site in the Cantonment near the Empress Garden. It includes 118.5 acres (48.0 ha) of land under the control of the Indian army. The track is different and has a shorter run-in, with the variable underfoot conditions making the sporting events exciting. Main events take place in the Summer. the highlight is many horses from Calcutta take part in the events.
The racing track in Mahalaxmi is oval shaped with 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) straight chute, spread over approximately 225 acres (0.91 km2; 0.352 sq mi) of open land in the prime area of Mumbai city. In 1935 King George V, Emperor of India, granted permission to add the prefix “Royal” to the Club’s name. The Grandstand, off the course, is a designated heritage structure. The racecourse has a helipad open for civilian use in South Mumbai. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performed at the racecourse on 1 March 2015 as part of his X World Tour.
The racing track in Mahalaxmi is oval shaped with 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) straight chute, spread over approximately 225 acres (0.91 km2; 0.352 sq mi) of open land in the prime area of Mumbai city. In 1935 King George V, Emperor of India, granted permission to add the prefix “Royal” to the Club’s name. The Grandstand, off the course, is a designated heritage structure. The racecourse has a helipad open for civilian use in South Mumbai. British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran performed at the racecourse on 1 March 2015 as part of his X World Tour.
During the colonial time with better organized racing events the Bombay turf club gave a tough competition. Between 1886 - 1897, an important agreement was made with the Calcutta Turf Club “that no course in India be allowed to race under Rules without being controlled by either of the ''two Turf Authorities”. The first running of the Eclipse Stakes of India in 1923 gave Bombay a race to rival the Viceroy’s Cup.
Other Turf clubs:
Delhi Turf Club, established in 1940, conducts racing at India's capital Delhi usually once a week from August until May, where racing is run under the aegis of RWITC.
Royal Calcutta Turf Club, conducts racing in Kolkata, with a main winter season from November to April and a monsoon season which runs from July until mid-October.
Hyderabad Turf Club conducts racing in Hyderabad where racing is held on the Monsoon Track from July until the end of October and on the Winter Track from November until February. Hyderabad usually races on Sundays and Mondays.
Hyderabad Turf Club - conducts racing in Hyderabad where racing is held on the Monsoon Track from July until the end of October and on the Winter Track from November until February. Hyderabad usually races on Sundays and Mondays.
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| Hyderabad race tracks, Telangana. newsmeter.in |
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| Hyderabad Turf Club, india www.123rf.com |
The late Nizam Asaf Jah VI in 1868 at Moula-Ali started horse racing in Hyderabad. Called Deccan races and later the Hyderabad races in the past the racing venue shifted to Malakpet by H.H Nawab Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, Nizam VI in 1968. Hyderabad Race Club began its operations in 1961 in Secunderabad and shifted to Malakpet in 1968 when the racing was revived under Hyderabad Race Club.
Royal Calcutta Turf Club, Kolkata - conducts racing in Kolkata, with a main winter season from November to April and a monsoon season which runs from July until mid October.
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| whataftercollege.com |
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| Calcutta Turf Club race course stands before 1905 en.wikipedia.org |
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| Royal Calcutta Turf club, Calcutta. wikimapia.org |
During the British Raj, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC), founded in 1847 in Calcutta ( Kolkata,), became the premier horse racing organization in India. With professional organized, it became the governing body for almost all courses in the sub-continent, defining and applying the rules that governed the horse racing sport.
During the heyday of colonial rule even after the direct administration by the Crown, the races organized were believed to be among the most popular social events of the calendar, opened by the Viceroy of India. During the 1930s the Calcutta Derby Sweeps, organized by the club, was the largest sweepstakes in the world. Even today it is still an exclusive private club and still operates the Kolkata Race Course.
Delhi Turf Club - conducts racing at India's capital usually once a week from August until May, where racing is run under the patronage of RWITC. It was established in 1940. Located a few miles away from the Prime Minister’s home and office, the turf
Delhi Turf Club - conducts racing at India's capital usually once a week from August until May, where racing is run under the patronage of RWITC. It was established in 1940. Located a few miles away from the Prime Minister’s home and office, the turf
is green, and flat with no turns or gradients. There is only one track. Despite being small, the clubhouse has 800 odd members, and the 4000 people who come to watch the races during season time.
These are only some of the variables that affect a horse no matter whether it is a Grade I, Grade II, or Grade III event being held at the Delhi Race Course. the deciding factors vary from climate, the turf, form guide, and so on – it will help you make a decision once you place your bet. With eco-friendly turf, there is no racing event in the hot summer, DTC mains a large stable that can serve about 500 horses at a time, the Delhi Race Course has constantly upgraded its facilities.
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| Delhi race club, Delhi hyraces.com |
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| Delhi Race Club. Club Times: India's First Club Aggre |
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| www.drcraces.com |
Major races
Most of the time, except for the summer when Bangalore races on the weekends and Mysore on Wednesdays, there is a seven-day race schedule all over the country and simulcasting takes place between all the clubs.
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India has five 'Classic' races which parallel the original British classic races. The Indian 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas are run in December. The Indian Oaks is run at the end of January. The Indian Derby is run on the first Sunday of February and carries a purse of over ₹ 30,000,000. Lastly, the Indian St. Leger is run in September.[3] They are all run in Mumbai, apart from the St. Leger which is run at Pune.
The Invitation Weekend which rotates between the various turf authorities is held on the first weekend of March. This features a Group 1 race each for sprinters over 1200 metres, a race over a mile and a 3000 metre race for stayers. The best horses are invited from all over the country for these races. The showpiece event is open to Indian horses which are 4 years old and over, invited from all the turf authorities, and carries a winners prize of ₹ 10,000,000.
The Bangalore Derby is held on the second Sunday of July in Bangalore every year. It is sponsored by Kingfisher. Invitation cup and associated races sprinter, stayer, Super mile is rotational, Hyderabad 2014,Calcutta 2013 Bangalore 2012, Bombay 2011 and this year is RWITC' Mumbai Turf, is run over 2400 meters was for only 4 years old only were eligible, but from 2014 onward it has been changed to elder horses also.
Famous horses
Indian horses have made their mark on the international arena. Mystical won two races at the Dubai Racing Carnival. Saddle Up was the best horse in training on the Malaysia / Singapore circuit and won the Tunku Gold Cup as well as running second in the Singapore International Cup. Southern Regent, won twice in England when way past his prime at the age of 9. Beat It Dude was one of the highest rated horses in South Korea in 2008. Astonish was a Class 1 winner in Hong Kong. Indian Government restrictions dampened the participation of Indian horses abroad.
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The Invitation Weekend which rotates between the various turf authorities is held on the first weekend of March. This features a Group 1 race each for sprinters over 1200 metres, a race over a mile and a 3000 metre race for stayers. The best horses are invited from all over the country for these races. The showpiece event is open to Indian horses which are 4 years old and over, invited from all the turf authorities, and carries a winners prize of ₹ 10,000,000.
The Bangalore Derby is held on the second Sunday of July in Bangalore every year. It is sponsored by Kingfisher. Invitation cup and associated races sprinter, stayer, Super mile is rotational, Hyderabad 2014,Calcutta 2013 Bangalore 2012, Bombay 2011 and this year is RWITC' Mumbai Turf, is run over 2400 meters was for only 4 years old only were eligible, but from 2014 onward it has been changed to elder horses also.
Famous horses
Indian horses have made their mark on the international arena. Mystical won two races at the Dubai Racing Carnival. Saddle Up was the best horse in training on the Malaysia / Singapore circuit and won the Tunku Gold Cup as well as running second in the Singapore International Cup. Southern Regent, won twice in England when way past his prime at the age of 9. Beat It Dude was one of the highest rated horses in South Korea in 2008. Astonish was a Class 1 winner in Hong Kong. Indian Government restrictions dampened the participation of Indian horses abroad.
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