Padmanabhan trained Desert God produced a scintillating performance to clinch a nail baiting finish of the Gr 1 Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby partnered by Signature in front of the biggest crowd seen in recent years at the famed Mahalaxmi race course on Sunday. Jockey David Allan was at his brilliant best, reacting swiftly to emerging dangers and despite facing the prospect of being boxed, rode a calm and collected race to stave off the determined bid of Indian Oaks winner Myrtlewood.



The victory of Desert God set several new records in the history of this biggest race of Indian racing calendar. For one, Desert God`s dam Running Flame had failed to win this race 17 years ago as one of the strong favourites after a smashing win in the Indian Oaks and her son accomplished that task for her. Desert God is perhaps the first horse in the history of this race to have been bred, trained and owned by Padmanabhan along with his wife Sharmila Padmanabhan and Col Swapan Bhadra. This was the second Indian Derby success for Padmanabhan who had earlier won this event through In The Spotlight. For David Allan too, this was the second win in this coveted race having earlier steered Moonlight Romance to victory not long ago. This was also the first Indian Derby win for Kunigal Stud Farm`s resident stallion Burden of Proof who has single-handedly lifted the fortunes of the farm. Though Kunigal Stud Farm had produced a winner of this race long back through Topmost, this was the first success for the farm after it came under the control of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders Ltd. The daughter of Steinbeck, Running Flame who had been a world traveller and had foaled a winner at France, has the unique distinction of having a classic winner or classic placed horse from the three foals that have born in India. While Boraslino (by Choisir) won the Kingfisher Derby and Deccan Derby, Desert God has done even better winning the Deccan Derby, Calcutta Derby and Indian Derby proving that this compactly built son of Burden of Proof is a stout hearted horse with amazing appetite for wins and has proved to be indefatigable as well. Desert God had narrowly failed in the Kingfisher Derby and Mysore Derby thus making him one of the most consistent performers on the Indian circuit.


Despite impeccable credentials, the cynicism that is associated with horses from outside Mumbai had ensured that Desert God was the least fancied of the runners. Costa Del Sol who had an amazing streak of wins albeit without a success in classics was the best supported of the lot followed by Myrtlewood and Phoenix Tiger. Desert God was at odds of 10 to 1. The big field of 20 runners were loaded into the gates in front of the Grand Stand without any hiccup though Bold Appeal looked like he was going to be a spoil sport. B Fifty Two took off from the inside draw to head the field briefly before Colombiana took charge. Airco moved up to run second followed by Bull Run, Ostwind while the big wigs of the race, Costa Del Sol, Phoenix Tiger and Desert God were within striking range while Myrtlewood headed the rear bunch. Gestapo was raced way off the pace.

Colombiana headed the field as the runners took the final turn with the jockeying for prominent position beginning in right earnest. Colm Donoghue on Phoenix Tiger very nearly succeeded in boxing Desert God on the inside but the horse was travelling so powerfully that he could swiftly move up and take the gap along the inside of Colombiana and come into strong contention. Myrtlewood too joined issue with her patent burst of speed. Inside the final furlong, the four principal contenders Desert God, Phoenix Tiger, Costa Del Sol and Myrtlewood were in a line. Myrtlewood rolled over under pressure causing Phoenix Tiger to go on to Costal Del Sol who both suffered interference as a result. In the meanwhile, Myrtlewood looked like collaring Desert God but the latter, under the driving finish of David Allan, dug into his reserves and pulled out that bit extra to win the race sparing half a length at the finish. Gestapo who made rapid progress in the straight, covered plenty of ground and was an eye-catching third. Perhaps the lack of experience went against Gestapo who otherwise could have been right at the finish.


It was the fitness of things that a race as big as this should produce such an absorbing finish. Some of the big names in the racing world were there to do duty on the top fancies. Myrtlewood came up with an outstanding performance despite running in two weeks after winning the Indian Oaks. What went against her in the end was not her stamina but possibly that of the jockey who could not finish the good work that he had done in positioning himself to win the race. Trainer Pesi Shroff who has the record number of Indian Derby wins to his credit as a jockey, is facing frustration each year as a trainer, losing races that he possibly could have won due to the selection of jockeys. He has just one success in the 11 years that he has been a trainer.

David Allan said that he was so confident in the ability of Desert God that he was not worried about any hiccup in the race. ``The horse was travelling so powerfully and when the horse is in such a mood, it is easy to take the gaps and make the best of the situation. Though there was slight interference inside the final 300 metres, I knew my horse had enough firepower to pull through,`` said a thrilled jockey who in the last one year has won Derbies in India.

Padmanabhan said that he was always confident that he had the horse to win the Indian Derby and said that he believed the horse that Desert God would have to beat was Myrtlewood after the filly`s brilliant performance in the Oaks. ``I always had high hopes on Desert God and I was convinced of his ability to win the Indian Derby after his smashing success in the Deccan Derby during the monsoon season.``

Sharmila Padmanabhan who was the partner in Desert God said that this was the biggest moment of her life. Sharmila has been a lucky owner and the few horses that she has owned, have won every big race in the country including the Invitation Cup through Running Flame. Col Swapan Bhadra who has owned just two horses thus far, has been lucky that the first Torch Bearer placed third in the Calcutta Derby and the second horse Desert God has worked wonders for him.

Dr Vijay Mallya who came to the rescue of the club through associated sponsorship from United Breweries said that he was tremendously thrilled by the crowd response. ``The profile of the crowd this year was much younger than any time in the history of this race which augurs well for the sport.``

Chairman of RWITC Zavaray Poonawalla whose enthusiasm has rubbed off on every activity of the club could not have asked for a better turnout for the Derby.

At a post-race Press Conference with the winning connections, Vivek Jain said that the club has no intention to restrict the number of participants on the basis of a horse having to acquire minimum qualifying standard. ``When it is the dream of every owner to run a horse in the Indian Derby, I don`t believe that we can restrict eligible horses to run in the race even in the absence of rating or racing performance. We can accommodate about 22 horses and I see no reason why there should be any change in the stand,`` he said in response to a question from a journalist. `The race went through without any issue and the best horse on the day won the race,`` he added.