The year 2013 has passed by in flash but then again, I suppose that each year does exactly that. I’m sure you’re pretty busy at this point but figured that I’d send you my wish list for Christmas anyway.

I must admit that I haven’t been all good in 2013 but I haven’t been all bad either, at least in relative terms. Therefore, even if you concede to some of what I need, as hard as it is, I would be waking up to a very merry Christmas.

Let us start with a need of the hour. There is something disconcerting about watching a man have a bath in the open even more so when the temperatures around India are starting to drop. While race courses are looking prettier by far, there is an urgent need for hot water, hygienic toilet facilities and the like. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not talking about the owners, members or trainers. We seem to have our toilet requirements in place. I’m actually talking about our syces who spend hours looking after the horses that provide us with pleasure. They earn meagre salaries, have to pay for rising prices for basic food and necessities and yet give their heart out to their horses. Santa, if you do have the time and inclination do give this a thought.

Now, next on my list, since we are talking about care of our horses, can we have some common sense, decency and morality gifted to those have not fed their horses or given them the basic care that they so badly depend on us for. Some of the recent reports and photographs that I have seen from a stud farm in India make me sick to my stomach and takes me back to two eye opening experiences that I believe merit comparison.

In 1990, a champion filly called Go For Wand took on a seasoned mare called Bayakoa in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff at Belmont Park. My friend, Rahul Bhat (RanjitBhat’s son) and I were at the track and when the horses broke from the gates, we were transfixed as we watched a match race unfold between the two. To cut a long story short, the two battled up the straight until, with about a furlong to go, the filly broke her leg and came crashing down. She ran towards where we were standing with fear and pain in her eyes and naturally her disconsolate owners could hardly be blamed for weeping as if they had lost a child. Ron Mcanally, who trained Bayakoa had won but couldn’t stop himself from crying either as he reminded us that we should never forget that these animals risk their lives for our pleasure. A lesson, I certainly haven’t ever forgotten.

Back in India many years later, I saw an owner win an important race in which one of his other runners collapsed and died in front of the chute at Mahalaxmi. I witnessed this man step over the body of his horse without as much a look of sorrow, as he went to lead in his winner. A stark comparison to what I had seen at Belmont.

Santa, I’m not looking for you to punish any one as I believe the process of karma will handle that one for the greater good. What I am asking for though, is that all these people who believe that they can buy horses without a shred of responsibility, and there are many, should be stripped of their right to be a part of this industry.

And finally, I can’t help but find amusement from the circus around the RWITC elections. Allegations, counter allegations and many gifts are making the rounds in an attempt to win a club. Yes, you read me correctly. It’s only a club but yet people are willing to put their lives on hold for this victory. My worry Santa, is not the circus because having once been a part of it, I can now watch with some bemusement as events unfold and can even appreciate how, for some, it is actually fun.  To each his own is what I say. My bigger concern however, is that the membership base has grown to a point where we have as many members who don’t have any interest in horse racing as those that do. This is a dangerous trend and one which can leave behind a frightening legacy for future generations.

Please therefore, find a way this Christmas to blackball all potential members who do not enjoy the sport. As a member of the RWITC, I believe that we are a horse racing club and that the rest is incidental. In fact, while you’re at it, try and get those who haven’t been to the races at least twice a year, either removed from the list of members or made to pay a subscription of a significantly higher amount each year.

I guess what I’m asking for this Christmas, is wisdom for all.

Merry Christmas.