Mumbai races will start at Pune from November 17

Once again the Pune race course will witness the thunder of hooves after a gap of three weeks as the first two race days of Mumbai racing season will be held here on November 17 and 24, 2019. The Stewards of Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) were forced to conduct first two race days in Pune, as the preparations at the Mahalaxmi race course were incomplete for the timely start of the season, due to the most delayed monsoon withdrawal this year.

This year’s season, which consists of total 34 race days including 15 evening race days, will end on April 12, 2020. The approximate stakesmoney for the season would be ₹12.7 crores, excluding the stakesmoney of Indian Derby weekend races. The sponsorships for the Indian Derby and Indian Oaks will be announced later.

Mr. Geoffrey Nagpal, Chairman, Stewards of the Club, told

The Hindu “That eight bookmakers are expected to resume from Friday (Nov. 15) at Mumbai race course.”

He also said that “Last week’s rains have been a big setback for the preparations at Mahalaxmi race course, but we are trying our best for the resumption of racing at Mumbai from December 1.”

Important races of the season are: Style Cracker 1000 Guineas (Dec. 21), Villoo C. Poonawalla 2000 Guineas (Dec. 22), Pudumjee Million (Jan. 5), R.R. Ruia Cup (Jan. 9), Gool S. Poonawalla (Jan. 18), Indian Oaks (Jan. 18), Indian Derby (Feb. 2), B.K. Rattonsey Maiden Million (Feb. 2), Breeders’ Produce Stakes (Feb. 2), Dr. S.C. Jain Sprinters Cup (Feb. 9), Poonawalla Breeders Multi-Million (evening) (Feb. 23).

Dates of racing:

November: 17 & 24.

December: 1, 8, 15, 21, 22, 27 & 29.

January: 2, 5, 9, 16, 18 & 24.

February: 1, 2, 9, 13, 16, 23 & 26.

March: 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 27 & 29.

April: 4, 5, 11 & 12.