Suraj Narredu skillfully guided Long Lease, utilizing all available resources, to thwart the formidable challenge posed by Ramiel and secure victory in the Gr 2 JSK1 Calcutta Derby Stakes. The closely contested premier event at Kolkata on Sunday saw the Rajesh Narredu-trained horse clinching the win by a whisker. This marked Long Lease`s third consecutive triumph, following victories in the Calcutta 1000 Guineas and the Calcutta Oaks, the latter just 11 days prior.

Despite the brief timeframe between races, the daughter of Roderic O`Connor showcased an impressive performance, fending off Ramiel`s strong challenge who was also aggressively ridden by jockey Trevor Patel. The thrilling conclusion compensated for the limited field depth, compounded by the fact that only five runners participated, with Hornbill pulling up in distress from the race midway and not completing the course.

Trainer Neil Darashah, who relocated to Kolkata ahead of the winter season, is currently savoring a successful streak. On the Derby day, he orchestrated a remarkable treble, with Cool Rider emerging victorious in the 1200 meters Trafalgar Cup—an event designated for horses rated 81, serving as a notable supporting feature of the day. The victory of Cool Rider which was his first run in 147 days was particularly for the trainer. The six year gelding has had series of issues and the patience of the trainer was reward as Cool Rider pulled off a gutsy win after a wait of more than 300 days.

Returning to the Derby, it proved challenging to confidently identify a potential winner, as each horse in the lineup had its own limitations. The favoured Destroyer, hailing from trainer Patrick Quinn`s stable, was anticipated to find the mile-and-a-half trip uncomfortably long. His additional challenge was the necessity to lead from the front, making the victory a hard-fought endeavor. Long Lease, although victorious against a modest field, faced the hurdle of participating in a grueling mile-and-a-half race within a short timeframe. Sea The Sun, trained by Pesi Shroff and brought in from Mumbai to contend in the Derby, was bred for stamina but lacked superior credentials to substantiate his claims. Ramiel, with just one win to his name, held promise in terms of breeding for the distance, given his full sister`s success in the Bangalore Winter Derby over an identical stretch. However, Ramiel consistently fell short in previous races.

Jockey Pradeep Chouhan had Destroyer setting the pace, followed by Long Lease, Sea The Sun, Ramiel, and Hornbill. Hornbill seemed distressed, prompting jockey Yash Narredu to pull him up. Destroyer led into the final bend, but it appeared he had expended too much energy in front, making the stretch run appear taxing. Destroyer faded quickly, allowing Long Lease to cover the gap effortlessly and take the lead. Simultaneously, Trevor Patel brought Ramiel alongside.

In the final 300 meters, Long Lease and Ramiel engaged in a fierce battle, with the Oaks winner maintaining an advantage throughout. The superior skill, experience, and assurance of Suraj Narredu played a decisive role in securing victory for the Oaks winner, who crossed the winning post a nose ahead. Ramiel finished second, with Destroyer claiming third place a a distance behind the runner-up. Sea The Moon was out of contention well before the homestretch, leaving him far behind the third-placed Destroyer.

The Narredu brothers have been enjoying an exceptional run, displaying remarkable consistency in winning classic events. Suraj, the elder of the two, stands out as a jockey of phenomenal achievement, while Rajesh, the trainer, has already secured success in some of the country`s most significant events. Together, they form a formidable team, and their success is truly noteworthy. The commendable achievements they have attained can be attributed to their unwavering dedication and total commitment to the job on hand.