Racing Centres & Meetings Under R.W.I.T.C. Ltd. Rules Conducted by R.W.I.T.C. Ltd. Bombay Winter Meeting from November to April Pune Monsoon Meeting from July to October Conducted by Delhi Race Club (1940) Ltd. Delhi Monsoon Meeting from August to October and Winter meeting from November to April Under R.C.T.C. Rules Conducted by R.C.T.C. Calcutta Cold Weather Meeting from November to April and Monsoon Meeting from July to October Under M.R.C. Rules Conducted by M.R.C. Madras Winter Meeting from November to March and Monsoon Meeting from August to October Ootacamund Summer Meeting from April to June Under B.T.C. Ltd. Rules Conducted by B.T.C. Ltd. Bangalore Winter Meeting from November to March and Summer Meeting from May to July Conducted by Mysore Race Club Mysore Winter Meeting from January – March Summer Meeting from June - July Monsoon Meeting from August - October Under H.R.C. Rules Conducted by H.R.C. Hyderabad Winter Meeting from November to February and Monsoon Meeting from July to October The Racing Schedule The new crop commences racing as 2-y-os in maiden races at level weights, with fillies entitled to a 1.5 kg. sex allowance. Top level racing in India revolves around the Classic crop. The five Indian Classics are patterned on the lines of their English, Irish and French counterparts as under:- The 1000 Guineas For 3-y-o fillies over 1600 metres The 2000 Guineas For 3-y-o colts, geldings and fillies over 1600 metres (with fillies claiming a sex allowance of 1-1/2 kg.) The Oaks For 3-y-o (or 4-y-o) fillies over 2400 metres The Derbys For 4-y-o colts, geldings and fillies over 2400 metres (with fillies claiming a sex allowance of 1-1/2 kg.) The St. Legers Same terms as the Derbys, but over 2800 metres. The Indian Turf Invitation Cup Same terms as the Derbys except that the contestants are invited by the respective Turf Authorities. Race Tracks All racetracks in India, except Delhi, are variations of the round/oval in shape, and are generally level. The Delhi track is a horseshoe. All are right-handed, with the principal surface being turf. Bombay has a full-fledged All Weather track in addition, while Madras holds Monsoon racing on the dirt training track. Calcutta, Hyderabad and Pune hold their Monsoon Meetings on Monsoon Tracks (parallel to the main tracks), which are turf tracks with better drainage. Sand or tan tracks are used for training, all of which takes place at the racecourses. There are no private training centers. Metric System Indian racing switched over to the metric system of weights and distances from the 1962-63 season. In handicaps, bottom weight is usually 47.0 kg., while top weight is usually 59.0 kg. Sponsorship Sponsorship of racing in India is significant. McDowell & Co. Ltd., United Breweries Ltd., Herbertsons Ltd., VST Ltd., Shaw Wallace Group, ITC Ltd., etc. have been amongst the major sponsors. Betting Betting is permitted on Tote as well as with the bookmakers operating at the racecourses. Volumes are significant – legal Tote wagering is estimated at Rs.2 billion annually, with a similar figure for legal betting with licensed bookmakers. All centres conduct "off-course" or "inter-track" wagering on races run at other centers, mainly with live TV coverage at the receiving course. There is no legal telephone betting, smart card wagering or internet betting. Programmes are so arranged by mutual consultation that overlap of racing days is kept to a minimum. On occasions, morning racing is held for this purpose. Statistics During the 2000-2001 Season, till September 30th: Races Run - 2924 Number of individual horses which participated - 3911 Stake money paid out: Approx. Rs.42,76,70,000 Rate this Article Excellent Good Average Poor   Any comments ?   Your Name   Your email ID   Your Comments Mail this Article   Your Name   Receiver's Name   Receiver's e-mail ID