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A jockey zooms past the racetrack at Mahalaxmi Racecourse at the Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks (Grade 1), famously known as the Ladies Derby. Image credits: Indian Oaks Derby
There’s no horsing around when it comes to Mumbai Derby. “With the onset of winters, classic races are up for grabs and my primary focus is to remain light-weight,” shares Suraj Narredu – the city-based jockey with a track record of 2290 wins, including 90 classics
Mumbai’s horse racing season commences in November and goes on till April featuring India’s top five classic races: the Indian Derby, the 1000 Guineas Race, the 2000 Guineas Race, the Oaks Race and the St Leger Race
“Horses are not merely athletes; they are cherished companions whose care involves a comprehensive routine,” outlines Subhag Kamat (48) who has been training racehorses at Mumbai’s turf club
A crucial component of their diet is oats, a concentrated feed rich in nutrients. Additionally, horses graze on grass hay throughout the day, promoting optimal nutrition and digestive health. Kamat stresses that racehorses require high nutritional foods to withstand rigorous physical conditioning and specialised workouts
Jockeys engage in a high-risk sport where even a minor setback poses the potential of sidelining them from the major races they've dedicated years preparing for. Consequently, they must maintain their weight in the range of 50-55 kilograms to maximise the horse’s speed and performance
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