Trainer LVR Deshmukh found a unique way to make his mark on a memorable day. He ran through the race card walking out repeatedly to lead-in his winners one after the other five times in the eight-race card. Along the way, the demure gentleman achieved his 1000th win a landmark only a handful of trainers have been able to match. When he went out to lead Egyptian Prince in the last race of the day, Deshmukh scored his 1000th win and there is no better delight for a professional who has been at it relentlessly for the last 23 years!

Speaking exclusively to indiarace.com Deshmukh was understandably excited and gleeful as one would be. “I am happy and will cherish this moment,” says the trainer who is in his mid-forties. “It has been a long and exciting journey for me. I recall my first winner – Rank Contender who was ridden by RJ Hannam way back in 1995. It was the first horse I saddled too, so I was fortunate to start off on a winning note. From then to Egyptian Prince has been a journey that is most pleasing and satisfying” said Deshmukh.

“There are many people I owe a big thanks to and from all strata - my family, owners, colleagues, jockeys who have been special, PS Chouhan being one of them, breeders, the authorities at the HRC and last but not the least, my loyal staff who have contributed to this success.”

Deshmukh started the roll with the first race of the day sending out debutante Consigliori (Air Support – Caprese) bred at the Kunigal Stud Farm. The bay colt was up to the task right from the outset as jockey Sandesh guiding him to the front and led soon on settling down. He galloped at a good clip and opened throttle soon on turning for home. Consigliori sped ahead leaving the rest behind and marched on all alone in front. He was a good three lengths ahead approaching the distance post. He ran a touch green shifting out ever so slightly, but jockey Sandesh corrected him and then on it was all smooth sailing. Consigliori won by two lengths with Midnight Dream and Sporting Smile in tow.

Deshmukh next saddled the well-fancied favourite Handsome Boy (Whatsthescript – Canadian Girl) to a facile victory. Here too his charge, ridden by Sandesh, hit the front and entered the straight with a handy lead. Handsome Boy looked invincible all through as none of his rivals could match his speed. Handsome Boy thus won unchallenged and by over two lengths, beating Marina Del Rey and Ashka Ashka Ashka with a good measure of comfort.

Mandy (Varenar – Si Gentille) provided her master with the third win for the day claiming the division II of the Sri Shamlal Gupta Memorial Cup downing first favourite Indian Dreams in a fighting finish.

Mandy was right behind Indian Dreams and they were racing closer to the rear end of the field. Digger led them into the straight and was galloping well. Poll Promise faded out soon as did Gorgeous Lady. Indian Dreams had Mandy right on his outside and these two made rapid progress to join Digger past the distance post. There was a scuffle between the pair for a couple of strides before Sandesh drove ahead with Mandy, finishing better of the two, carving out a half-length verdict at the wire. Buddy Brothers finished on at a good clip and did well to peg back Digger and save place money.

Thundering (Phoenix Tower – It’s A Dream) with Praveen Gaddam in the saddle, was the next winner for trainer Deshmukh. Gaddam nursed Thundering into the lead soon on start and the 4 to 1 shot travelled beautifully all the way into the straight.

Thundering was hard held right into the final furlong, yet none was getting closer to offer any challenge. When Sea Castle covered a bit of ground to get closer, Gaddam stepped on it just a bit and Thundering was off and away in a trice. He stretched ahead nicely to win without dropping sweat. Ice Crystal managed to re-run and peg Sea Castel back for the runner up berth.

Egyptian Prince (Eskendereya – Stonestreet Lady) did the honours of getting his master the coveted four-figure landmark in a dominant fashion. Settling in the mid-bunch early on, Egyptian Prince piloted by ace jockey Sandesh, improved positions to be a handy fourth at the turn.

Nazariya led them into the straight and Egyptian Prince began to flex his muscles soon to draw closer to the leader. Flowersfromabrook who was on the inside of Egyptian Prince drifted out squeezing on to Egyptian Prince. Sandesh did well to safely guide Egyptian Prince ahead and once in the lead, Egyptian Prince accelerated fluently to run away from them all and post a facile victory to the delight of his large number of supporters and Deshmukh in particular. A thousand victories is a huge haul and a feat worthy of praise.

Ashwa Bahula (Mull of Kintyre – Lii Najma)trained by Srinivas Reddy, thwarted the attempt of the in-form Sarvatra who arrived with a late finish. Ashwa Bahula quickened well soon on entering the homestretch and picked up speed to surge past Art of History and Warrior Supreme just past the distance post. With less than a furlong to go, Ashwa Bahula was well on his way to victory. Sarvatra tried hard to make a race of it, however, Ashwa Bahula, with jockey Ashhad Asbar atop, galloped on gamely to score by a length and half with Sarvatra finishing on well.  Warrior Supreme edged out Arc of History for the minor placing.

Samper Fidelis (Green Coast – Alero) thrilled his backer with a fine effort that accounted for his main rival Vashishta. Samper Fidelis raced in the bid bunch and was confidently ridden by jockey Kuldeep Singh. He inched forward past the turn and was not too far away from the leader Alexanderthegreat as they turned for home.

Alexanderthegreat failed to quicken after enjoying a good run initially and also having a handy lead of nearly three lengths in the straight. Samper Fidelis devoured ground galloping at a cracking speed and soon shot ahead past the distance post. There was no worthwhile challenger in the vicinity and the Arjun Anne ward was away with the rider going hands and heels all through while being eased up in the last few strides. Vashishta was no match and ended a tame second. Royal Avenger was a faraway third.

Stormy (Express Wish - Beldon Hill) produced a blistering finish to carve out a much needed win, his first on his eleventh start. It was not all smooth sailing though, as jockey Akshay Kumar had to switch lanes at a crucial stage and did well to manage it to his advantage.

Samba led them into the straight but soon ran out of gas. Silver Dollar was fighting hard to stay in contention when Stormy and Parizaat moved up together to stake a claim. With Silver Dollar weakening slightly and Parizaat on the outside, Akshay Kumar took a spilt-second decision to move inward and take the narrow passage available there. That proved to be a master stroke as Stormy picked up momentum and poked between horses to get a clear run for her final dash. She flew past them all and raced away to score easily in the end. Parizaat did well to finish second. Madonna came from a long way back to thrill those who had place bets on her.

For the professionals, trainer LVR Deshmukh was the star performer with five wins and a crossing memorable landmark. Jockey A Sandesh was at his tearing best scoring four wins through the day.