In reporting the honour bestowed upon trainers Uttam Singh and Imtiaz Sait by the Royal Western India Turf Club on March 31, it was mentioned that the former had the distinction of saddling Highland Rule, the first filly in Western India to win the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas and the Indian Oaks in one season.
However, Ms Renee K. Rustomjee has brought to the notice of this correspondent that it was the late A. L. J. Talib who saddled the filly Gamble of Love to win the 1000 Guineas, the 2000 Guineas and the Indian Oaks during the Bombay racing season 1949-50. Gamble of Love later ran just one-and-a-half length behind the Indian Derby winner. Incidentally, Ms Renee is the grand-daughter of late Mr A. J. Wadia, who shared the ownership of Gamble of Love with the late Mr M. H.
Ahmedbhoy.
Though the earlier report may have caused deep anguish to the concerned persons, it was in no way a deliberate attempt to mislead the racing public. However, it needs to be clarified that, this correspondent had relied upon the announcement made during the presentation ceremony by Mr Mahendra Mallya, the public relation manager of the RWITC, to the effect that Mr Uttam Singh was the first trainer to saddle the Highland Rule to win the three Indian classics. Later, this information was repeated again by Mr Mallya when this correspondent spoke to him on phone to get the career highlights of trainer Uttam Singh.
