The Invitational Race Day 2009 will be held at Malakpet Race Course, Hyderabad on Sunday, 25^th October 2009. The most important day in the Indian racing calendar is traditionally held on the first Sunday of March. The Royal Western India Turf Club (R.W.I.T.C.) was originally scheduled to host the carnival at Mumbai this year. The Equine Influenza which created havoc during the last winter, turned out to be the villain, jeopardizing racing schedules at most racing centers in India.

As Mumbai could not run the event, Bangalore Turf Club was the first to be approached by the Turf Authorities of India to run the Invitational races. BTC was already in troubled waters over the shifting of the race course, expressed their inability to host the event. It was widely feared that this year’s Invitational Races may not be run at all. The Hyderabad Race Club under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr.R.Surendra Reddy, acceded to the request of the Turf Authorities to run the races at Malakpet. Having hosted the 2008 edition successfully, HRC will leave no stone unturned to make this year’s Invitational races a grand success.

The Invitational Races are normally run over a weekend but this year it is going to be a one day affair, on Sunday, 25^th October 2009. Eight races have been advertised for the day, which includes the Invitation Cup, the Sprinter’s Cup, the Stayer’s Cup and the Super mile. The Indian Breeder’s Association is believed to have contributed a substantial sum towards the stake monies.

The following are the races advertised for the day.

1. THE INDIAN TURF INVITATION CUP (Grade I) :

For Indian Horses, 4 year olds only (foaled in 2005).

Distance - (About) 2400 metres.

2. THE NANOLI STUD & BREEDERS SPRINTERS’ CUP (Grade I) :

For Indian horses, 4 year olds & upwards.

Distance – (About) 1200 metres. 

3. THE POONAWALLA STUD FARMS & BREEDERS STAYERS’ CUP (Grade I) :

For Indian Horses, 4 year olds & upwards.

Distance – (About) 3000 metres.

4. THE USHA STUD FARM & BREEDERS MAJ.P.K.MEHRA MEMORIAL       SUPER MILE (Grade I) :

For Indian Horses, 4 year olds & upwards.

Distance – (About) 1600 metres.

5. THE SMT. TEEGALA SULOCHANA REDDY MEMORIAL JUVENILE MILLION

For Indian Horses, 3 year olds only (foaled in 2006).

Distance – (About) 1200 metres.

6. THE SRI GANGULA THIMMA REDDY MEMORIAL MILLION :

A Handicap for horses, 3 year olds & upwards in Category I.

Distance – (About) 1400 metres.

7. THE SOHNA STUD MILLION :

A handicap for horses, 3 year olds & upwards, rated upto 75, in Category II.

Distance – (About) 1600 metres.

8. THE HORSE LOVERS MILLION :

A handicap for horses, 3 year olds & upwards, rated upto 50, in Category III.

Distance - (About) 1400 metres.