"Kojagiri now runs The 3200 Metres Suresh Mahindra Trophy and I expect her to win again. "- Magansingh Jodha

By Bob Sawhny
Pune, 
September 25, 2003

Trainer Magansingh P.Jodha was in the limelight last Saturday at Pune when he saddled a grand treble with Touch Wood, Fashionable and the vastly improved Kojagiri.

Jodha holds the distinction of winning the 1989 Indian St.Leger(Gr.1) with Pennywise in the very first year of his career. Apart from Pennywise, Jodha has excelled with several Class I horses, namely - Arctic Light, Swift Foot, Northern Command, Adam's Gal, King Solomon, Volcan and Afshaan.

The diligent 49-year old Jodha still holds the record for the maximum wins in a Pune Season viz. 48 - a huge tally which he meritoriously achieved when he became the champion trainer in The 1990 Pune Season. Racing runs in the Rajput professional's family, for his father, is the popular and highly respected Veteran Western India Trainer - Purtu Singh, who rode for the Royal families of Gwalior, Kashmir and Idar in the 50's and the 60's. 

Excerpts of an exclusive interview with trainer Magansingh Jodha
 

You were a very successful photographer in the media world. What made you deviate to a different profession ?

I have always been very fond of horses since my childhood days and was a champion rider of my Alma Mater, The Shivaji Military School, Pune. Besides, Racing runs in my family as my father is a horseman since birth and my in-laws are Breeders in Jaipur. These factors mainly induced me to become a trainer.

To what extent does your dad Purtu Singh help you in your profession ?

His expertise and tremendous experience is of immense help in almost all aspects of my  day-to-day work.

Why has Bajrang Singh who used to be your retained rider not been regularly riding for you ? How do you rate him as a jockey ?

It purely depends on my owners whether they would like him to be astride their horses. I personally rate Bajrang Singh as a very strong rider, as good as any in India. 

Trainer Magansingh Jodha at his Mumbai stables with his favourite filly - Arctic Light.

Which is the best horse you have ever trained ?

I have trained several good horses and have won The Indian St.Leger with Pennywise. However, my favourite horse till date is a filly - Arctic Light. She won several Class One and Graded Races including The Stayers Classic (Gr.1), The Eclipse Stakes Of India(Gr.2), Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Trophy(Gr.3) and placed third in The Indian 1000 Guineas, Oaks, St.Leger and The McDowell Indian Derby. She was truly a very versatile and classy filly who possessed an excellent temperament and was unfortunate to cross swords with the likes of Adler and Thumbelina.

You got a treble-Touch Wood, Fashionable and Kojagiri after a very long gap. Why ?

Yes, I led in a treble after a very long time as the competition has become very stiff in Western India.

Touch Wood's win over a mile was a real shocker. Your comments ?

I don't think it was a shocker as she ran a decent race over a mile in her previous run where she finished fourth to Premier Passion. This race which Touch Wood won was for five year olds & over and I definitely expected her to acquit herself creditably, which she did.

Fashionable's easy victory was a big step-up in form as compared to her last run in Race.No. 117 on 5th September in which she finished a far-off third. Your comments ?

Last time out she ran a shorter trip which was 2000 Metres. Now she was going over a longer trip viz. 2400 Metres which is her pet distance. I gave her a winning chance as she was competing over her optimum trip. Incidentally, the only other time that she has won in her career has been over 2400 Metres.

Touch Wood (V Jodha up) winner of The Brave Prince Plate  being led in by trainer & owner  Magansingh.P.Jodha (Extreme left)

Kojagiri (P Kamlesh up) winner of The Cordon Bleu Trophy being led by trainer M.P.Jodha & owner K.Yuraj Sambhaji Chhatrapati  

Undoubtedly, Kojagiri's win was the most impressive. How did you get her to improve to such a great extent and when does she run next ?

Kojagiri is from a late-maturing pedigree and she comes from the same family as the classy Mango Blossom. Distance is her forte and she has yet to peak. She is now targeted for The 3200 Metres Suresh Mahindra Trophy to be run on 18th October. I expect her to win as she will relish the gruelling trip and will be shouldering a feather-weight of 47Kg's.

Could you enlighten us about some of your good two-year-olds ?

I'll name you five who I think have good potential - 
(i) Razeen - Green Medina (colt)
(ii) Tecorno - Excalibur's Glory (filly) 
(iii) White Crown - Sharastamina (filly) 
(iv) White Crown - Afshaan (colt) and 
(v) Concordial - Miss Discreet (filly).

What's your view on Estonia's dazzling win in The S.A. Poonawalla Million ?

She won extremely well and showed that she possesses an excellent turn of foot. She definitely has classic potential and to the best of my knowledge she is now targeted for The Indian 1000 Guineas.

How do you rate Western India's other 3-year-olds Rapidash and Secret Romeo ?

I was not impressed with the win of Rapidash on Saturday, as she drifted out in the straight which is a big minus factor. Secret Romeo is a top class miler and definitely looks a frontline contender for The Indian 2000 Guineas.

In your estimation, who are the main contenders for The Nanoli Stud Pune Derby ?

I feel Artois has the best chance and Capture The Moment should follow him home.