The 20-day Pune racing season is all set to begin on Sunday with an exciting lineup of nine events. The summer months were tough for racing enthusiasts, as the Bangalore Summer Season faced significant delays, leading to frustration among those passionate about horse racing. Fortunately, favorable weather conditions have allowed the Royal Western India Turf Club to start the season earlier than usual. The Pune race track, known for being a monsoon track, requires ample rainfall to maintain optimal conditions. Thanks to good rainfall, the track is in excellent shape for the upcoming races.

Typically, the first few days of racing after a break feature a packed schedule, as horses need to get back into action after a hiatus. Some stables aim to capitalize on these early races before the major stables ramp up their activities. While Pesi Shroff commands some of the best horses due to their pedigree, his focus on long-distance runners provides opportunities for other trainers to excel in shorter races.

This season will miss the presence of two esteemed trainers who passed away since last year’s conclusion. Altaf Hussain, renowned for leading two Indian Derby winners, Desert Warrior and Starfire Girl, passed away in November. Known for his meticulous planning and patience, his death is a significant loss to the racing community. However, his son Aman has shown promise, achieving impressive results early in his career and appearing well-prepared to continue his father’s legacy.

Trainer Shiraz Sunderji, who recently relinquished his license due to ill-health, also passed away after battling cancer for several years. Sunderji was a highly successful trainer, with victories in both the Pune Derby and Indian Derby. Despite his illness, he continued to achieve remarkable results, making his loss deeply felt in the racing community.

This season will see several trainers from Bangalore participating significantly. Trainer Prithviraj will shift base to RWITC with a substantial number of horses under his care. Trainer Prasanna Kumar, along with horses from Sulaiman Attaollahi and others, will also compete in selected races.

Veteran trainer Imtiaz Sait continues his impressive run, while Narendra Lagad, who has dominated the Pune season, looks forward to another successful season. Trainers M K Jadhav, Sanjay Kolse, and Dallas Todywalla also have strong contenders.

Malesh Narredu had an incredible year last year, with Enabler winning both the Pune Derby and the Indian Derby. Unfortunately, Enabler experienced a severe health issue and ultimately passed away. Malesh, however, continues to have a strong lineup and a dedicated team supporting his operations. His performance remains of significant interest.

In recent years, young Adhiraj Jodha has emerged as a standout trainer. After achieving significant success in Chennai, he returned to Pune and enjoyed a stellar year. With his dedication and commitment, he is poised to be a formidable challenger this season.

The season promises to be an exciting one, highlighted by two group 1 races: the Pune Derby (October 13) and the Gr 1 Indian St Leger (September 22), both sponsored by Hyderabad-based Horse Powers Sports Limited (HPSL). Additionally, the SA Poonawalla Million will be another major attraction of the 20-day racing season.