Nibbling a cut dosa , seasoned campaigner — as jockey and trainer — at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, Shah, says confidently that the filly and colt, in which the legendary Pesi Shroff has a hand, is his favourite at the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby to be run at the Mahalaxmi on Sunday.
Pesi has won a record eight Derby classics at the famous horse racing venue in the city. He trains Myrtlewood and Costa Del Sol, with both getting into the ‘favourites’ tag for the D-Day on February 7. Pesi is not new to winning a Derby as trainer though; he had won the 2010 event with Jacqueline.
It was the customary ‘Breakfast With The Champions’ get together last Thursday, and a select gathering were trying to get a feel of the top-notch classic event in horse racing on a clear morning in front of the members’ enclosure. “The Indian Derby is always the prime race in the country. There are Derbies everywhere, but the Indian Derby will always be the one that people look forward to. This is a top race in India; the people want to see the top horses of the country run here. Horses come from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata,” said Shah, joining the bandwagon of punters on whose lips were Myrtlewood and Costa Del Sol.
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Shah has been a regular at Mahalaxmi for 47 years. “I was a jockey first. I am originally from Bangalore. Then, I went to Madras and finally came here. I am a licensed trainer from 1969. I have won three Derbies here.
The first one was in 1973 with a horse called Mansoor. I won the second one with Hotstepper in 2008 and again in 2009 with Antonios,” said Shah, before finding his way to the breakfast buffet.