They used to say “What Happensin Calcutta Today, Happensin India Tomorrow”. Well that may not find too many takers across the country, but it will certainly hold a great deal of credibility and water when one looks at it from the horseracing perspective. In the last six years, three winners of the Indian Derby, Gr.1 have set themselves on the path to glory by first winning the Calcutta Derby, Gr.1. In 2012 it was IN THE SPOTLIGHT. In 2016 it was DESERT GOD. And in 2017 HALL OF FAMER made it a 50% strike rate. All three were trained by “Paddy” Padmanabhan. Spotlight was ridden by Martin Dwyer in 2012, while David Allan partnered the back to back double in 2016 and 2017.

One wonders whether it’s just a coincidence, but all the three Calcutta Derby, Gr.1 winners who went on to win the Indian Derby, Gr.1had names which always suggested that they were a Class Apart. In The Spotlight hogged all the limelight and won by far the easiest of this trio. Desert God rose like the Phoenix to become the highest Stake Money earner in the history of Indian Racing. Hardly surprising, considering the fact that he was labelled “God”. And then along comes a filly whose very name suggested that she simply had to have her name inscribed in letters of gold because her connections had already placed her in the Hall Of Fame. 

Hall Of Famer, the 4 year olddaughter of Win Legend out of the Elusive Pimpernel mare Elusive Trust became the first Grey after Cordon Bleu back in 1988 to win the Indian Derby, Gr.1 and that too in the Platinum Jubilee 75^th Year. Technically, “bred” by the Soom Stud Farm of the late Deepak Khaitan fame – as the mare was in their ownership at the time she fioaled Hall Of Famer – she was however born and raised at the Dashmesh Stud. She joins the illustrious ranks of Chaitanya Chakram, Astronomic, and Elusive Pimpernel all of whom kept their date with the Indian Derby, Gr.1. All three will be special but Hall Of Famer gave Dashmesh Stud that little “little bit more”. She sported the famous Blue with Gold Hoops of the Brar family as a result of which young Tegbir Brar proudly led her in as the Owner and Breeder not merely because she was raised at the Dashmesh Stud.

There was in a way, a sense of déjà vu that first Sunday of February if one was to describe the story that unfolded on the hallowed turf of the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. When you talked about Dashmesh Stud you spoke about the late “Sonny” Brar. Elusive Pimpernel will probably be the greatest horse he ever bred and he was owned by the late Deepak Khaitan. The pair were great friends and when Elusive Pimpernel retired it was “Sonny” Brar who offered to stand him at Dashmesh Stud. It took more than just a couple of years before a  stunning looking grey walked out of her home in the Punjab and into the stables of S. Padmanabhan. Sadly neither Deepak or “Sonny” would be alive to witness this incredible moment, but you can bet your bottom dollar that both of them must have been dancing theBhangra as they looked down on and watched Hall Of Famer keep her tryst with destiny.

They say that Racing answers a lot of questions, but leaves others tantalisingly unanswered and so too did the 75th running of the Indian Derby, Gr.1.