Indictment (Malesh Narredu Up), winner of the McDowell Indian Derby in 1997
2nd February 1997 undoubtedly the happiest day of my life, The day champion Indictment bravely won the McDowell Indian Derby. He was beyond doubt the best horse of that year, we not only won the Indian Derby together but we also clinched the Indian Triple Crown in addition to The Pune Derby that we won earlier. The entire team was thrilled to bits and ecstatic at the highest level every time he came out and won and full marks must be given to my dear friend trainer Vinayak. He knew the horse best and turned out the horse perfectly for every classic.
It is disheartening to know that this great champ has left us due to old age on 20th March 2012 and there was no mention about this anywhere, not the print media or the electronic media. While every paper and every person was short of words to praise him when he won the Derby.
I must mention that he was by far the dearest horse and will remain etched in my memory; the place he holds in my heart is unattainable by any other horse in the years that I have spent with horses in my life. Watching his race and recalling the memories of those years bring goosebumps on me. And let me assure you of one thing, he always knew what his job was when he was on the track, be it morning workouts or the race. A classic temperament, the will to gallop and most importantly a heart of a gladiator. While he was a warrior on the track he was a darling at the yard.
A great horse, a great champion, a classic winning sire and an Indian classic producing sire. I was privileged to be not only on his back but also on the back of his classic winning progeny in - Obligado on whom I won the Mysore Derby. He also sired Aldeburgh who won the Indian 2000 guineas.
Every person associated with him, am sure had a special place for him in their hearts and everyone is equally sorrowed by the loss of this great champion.
Indictment gave us a combination that lasted for close to 22 years, viz., Owner Mr. Khushroo K Dhunjibhoy, Trainer Vinayak and Jockey Malesh Narredu our only Indian Triple Crown thus far.
We Will miss him and Pray for the departed soul.