The Calcutta Cold Weather season kicks off on the auspicious All Saints Day of November 1. The total stake money that professionals and racehorse owners will be battling over is a staggering Rs 15.14 crores. Other than the cash-rich Calcutta Derby on January 11 and the other classic races (1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas, Oaks, and St Leger), there are 17 races with over Rs 10 lakhs in prize money, making the ‘million’ virtually a ‘regular’ affair at RCTC. A list of these events are given at the end of the article.

The meeting will comprise 35 race days and will conclude on March 31st, 2015.  There are 247 races scheduled to be run during these five months, of which 90 will be cup events.

The Club has approximately 554 horses in station, comprising 161 two-year-olds and 393 older horses. A further 30 older horses are expected to arrive in station to compete during the season.

On the professional front, there are 21 ‘A’ licensed trainers at the moment. Upcoming star Manvendra Singh will join the fray for professional honours which have more often than not been dominated by champion Vijay Singh, his brother Bharath and brother-in-law Patrick Quinn. The other notable professionals who will be worth following are the seasoned Daniel David, the ever-focussed Arti Doctor and the wily Javed Khan.

Among the riders, 27 jockeys have been issued ‘A’ licenses and 28 ‘B’ licenses. Also on view will be 9 apprentice jockeys.  Prominent among those to don silks will be local monsoon champion Shailesh Shinde, last winter champ Christopher Alford who is returning to the track after an injury, Suraj Narredu,  P S Chauhan, Neeraj Rawal and S John.

Outstation challengers are likely to raise the bar for the local thoroughbreds. Those already in town for the Sweepstakes races are Manyata, Star Of Gibraltar, Antonius Maximus and Ocean N Beyond.

The other runners who are likely to pay a visit to the City Of Joy during the major events are Acclaimed, Arrogant Approach, Circle Of Life, Clinton and Dynamo. Probably joining them will be the likes of Machiavellianism, Tintinnabulation, Torch Bearer, Aralyn and Isnt She Special. Alandair, the colt that many local turfites are waiting to see, may make an appearance at this centre as well.

The classics and other important races scheduled to be run during the season are as under:                                                           

Calcutta 1000 Guineas (Grade III)                                         November 22, 2014

Calcutta 2000 Guineas (Grade II)                                          December 6, 2014

Calcutta Gold Cup (Grade II)                                                December 13, 2014

Calcutta Oaks (Grade III)                                                      December 20, 2014

Kunigal Indian Produce Stakes                                             January 1, 2015

RCTC Gold Vase                                                                  January 1, 2015

Champions’ Sprint (Grade III)                                              January 10, 2015

Eveready Calcutta Derby Stakes (Grade I)                            January 11, 2015

Indian Champion Cup (Grade I)                                            January 23, 2015

Indian Champagne Stakes                                                     January, 24 2015

Queen’s Cup (Grade III)                                                         February 7, 2015

Governor’s Cup                                                                        February 14, 2015

Calcutta Million (Grade II)                                                      February 14, 2015

Grand Annual Handicap                                                          February 21, 2015

Calcutta St. Leger (Grade III)                                                  March 7, 2015

Other than the cash-rich Calcutta Derby on January 11 and the other classic races, the 17 Races with over Rs 10 lakhs in added money, in chronological order are Mayfowl Cup, HKJC Trophy, Indian Gold Vase, Calcutta Gold Cup (Rs 25 lakhs), Calcutta Juvenile Stakes, Army Cup, Indian Produce Stakes(Rs 15 lakhs), Champions’ Sprint Trophy ( Rs 15 lakhs), Alokananda Stakes, Indian Champion Cup( Rs 35 lakhs), Indian Champagne Stakes ( Rs 20 lakhs), Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Rs 25 lakhs), Acorn Stakes, Calcutta Million (Rs 25 lakhs), Mayor’s Cup, Midnight Cowboy Cup and Elusive Pimpernel Cup.