About 700 horses will take part in the 45-day Madras racing season which begins here on October 30. The concluding meeting will be on March 28, 2016. 87 two-year-olds will be racing during the season.
S.M. Karthikeyan, secretary, Madras Race Club (MRC), who briefed the press, said that the total stakes money offered is Rs. 18,86,66,176 including the value of the cups. 314 races have been framed for the season of which 104 are cup races. 19 trainers and 37 jockeys would be seen in action.
MRC, after a break of 10 years, will host the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, the mega event of the Indian racing calendar, on March 5 and 6, 2016. Nalli Silks will be the new sponsor for the South India 2000 Guineas this season.
The MRC has also started a modern website, similar to other turf clubs, for the convenience of its patrons and lovers of this sport. To perpetuate the memory of late Committee member K. Balarama Das, a cup race has been framed.
New course railings of international standard have been erected at a cost of Rs. 36,00,000.
Outstation horses are eligible to take part only in the following races: Vikram Green Lands Stud South India 1000 Guineas (Gr. II), Nalli Silks South India 2000 Guineas (Gr. II), Hazara Stud Farm South India Oaks (Gr. I), Poonawalla Estates Stud & Agricultural Farm South India Derby Stakes (Gr. I) and the Chettinad Stud & Agricultural Farm South India St. Leger (Gr. II).
To become eligible for the incentives and to participate in any race, horses 6-years-old and below starting with races rated 40 & above, should have arrived here before October 29, 2015.
Racing dates:2015:October: 30 & 31; November: 3, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 25 and 26; December: 2, 3 (Vikram Green Lands Stud South India 1000 Guineas), 10, 11, 16, 17 (Nalli Silks South India 2000 Guineas), 23, 24, 29 and 30.
2016:January: 2 (Hazara Stud Farm South India Oaks), 5, 6, 11, 15 (Poonawalla Estates Stud & Agricultural Farm South India Derby Stakes), 20, 21 and 29.
February: 3, 4, 11, 12, 17, 18, 24 (Chettinad Stud & Agricultural Farm South India St. Leger) and 25.
March: 5 (Sprinter’s and Stayer’s Cup), 6 (Indian Turf Invitation Cup and Maj. P.K. Mehra Memorial Super Mile Cup), 13, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 28.
