Classy field likely to vie for prestigious Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion   

By Usman Rangila

February  22, 2004

The fifteenth edition of the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion 2004, to be run on Sunday, February 22 at the Mahalaxmi racecourse, is likely to have a classy field of 20 runners vying for honours this year. With the kind of prestige associated with the multimillion race, it is sure to attract participation of best horses and leading professionals from across the country. In the past, horses that have won this race have had a strong impact in the classics scene in the country. This multimillion concept has brought tremendous excitement amongst the professionals who endeavour to win this prestigious race. Several good outstation horses have already arrived at Mahalaxmi stables to wrest the coveted title of the “leading juvenile” of 2004.

Considered as the most prestigious, glamorous and richest race for juveniles on the Indian turf, the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion offers the winner a rich purse of rupees three million plus a trophy valued at rupees one lakh. The Poonawalla Stud Farms are the main sponsors of this Grade 1 race and guarantee total stakes of rupees five million.

The valuable contribution of the Poonawallas’ towards the King of Sports caters to regular racegoers as well as newcomers. There is a free contest of skill in which the bumper prize will be a car. All one has to do is to nominate the first four horses in the correct order, as declared by the judge in the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion race to become eligible for the fabulous prizes. Racegoers in all enclosures are eligible to participate in the contest. Apart from this, the first five thousand entrants to the first enclosure at Mahalaxmi will be allowed free entry. Plus, there is a free refreshment coupon to all those who attend the races on this day in the first and second enclosures. For those who want to try their luck on the jackpot, an amount of rupees ten lakh is being carried forward and will be added to the jackpot pool collections of the day. 

All said and done, racegoers have a never before chance to witness the best and the fashionably bred thoroughbred juveniles in the country competing on the Mahalaxmi track. You could be a winner of fabulous prizes and might just be lucky to drive home a brand new car. So be there at the Mahalaxmi racecourse on Sunday, February 22, and be a part of this highly entertaining and glamorous event of the Indian racing calendar. Watch out for this column for more details on the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multimillion 2004.