Villoo Poonawalla’s death last Tuesday has caused a big void in racing world. Being the wife of one of leading faces in Indian racing, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, she was easily the most recognizable person in horse racing at Pune and Mumbai. She was a great racing enthusiast and was instrumental in Dr Cyrus Poonawalla keeping a substantial number of horses to race in his colors. She also goaded Dr Poonawalla to buy quite a few got abroad horses for purpose of racing them in their colors. In fact, Phenomenale who won the Pune Derby two years ago, raced in her colors.

Having been an amateur rider herself in her younger days, Villoo had passion for racing and made it a point to be present at the racecourse to cheerfully lead in the winners owned by the family. She led in Change of Luck who won the Casino Royale Indian St Leger in March earlier this year, with great delight. She expressed a desire to the trainer of the winning horse that she wanted to win the coveted Indian Derby in her own colors. When racing resumes at Pune sometime next month, her presence at the paddock will surely be missed.

Villoo was in the best of spirits and her sudden death has shocked the racing fraternity. The prayer meeting held on Thursday at Pune was attended by a large number of racing administrators, race horse owners and other high profile people of the society. Almost every walk of life was represented.

Villoo was a philanthropist. She was also a pious lady. She never sought to publicize the good deeds she did. . She had good personal rapport with the employees of the Poonawalla Group. Her benevolent presence will be missed by the employees of Poonawalla group.

Chairman of Royal Western India Turf Club Vivek Jain said that ''Villoo Poonawalla will be remembered as an under stated and dignified lady of few words. A private person, she loved her horses and never missed leading in her champions. She always met me with warmth and affection. She will be missed.’’

Leading race horse owner Capt Jamshed J Appoo who is close to the Poonawalla family for a long time, said that the death of Villoo has come as a great shock to him. Appoo had accompanied the Poonawalla family to the Dubai World Cup and they were back in time to see Change of Luck win the Indian St Leger. ''I was a great admirer of Villoo and her sudden death is something that is hard to accept. I know it will take a long time for Dr Cyrus Poonawalla to come out of the shock but I am sure he will bounce back to continue the good work that he has been doing for Indian racing and also carry on her ideals and philanthropic activities ''

Leading race horse breeder Ameeta Mehra who owns the Usha Stud Farm expressed shock at the passing away of Mrs. Villoo Poonawalla and prayed that Dr Cyrus Poonawalla get the strength to bear this great personal loss.