Mr Byram Jeejeebhoy was among the most prominent citizens, a philanthropist and a gentleman to the core. He passed away peacefully at his Worli residence in Mumbai on Tuesday. He was not in the best of health for the last couple of years and after prolonged illness, eventually breathed his last at the age of 75.

The Jeejeebhoy family have been great contributors to the development of the city of Mumbai for decades. Their generosity exhibited the typical trait of the ‘small in number but large at heart’ Parsi community. They founded several education institutions, Fine Art colleges, Hospitals, Charitable homes etc. and also donated acres of land for the benefit of the city.    

The scion of the famed Jeejeebhoy family, Mr Byram Jeejeebhoy was multi-faceted. He was not just a highly successful business tycoon; his interests, hobbies and expertise varied from music (he played the violin adeptly), golf, fine-dining, theatre Classics, art-collection, driving posh automobiles, to his high passion for thoroughbred racing. Among the racing fraternity, he was fondly known as ‘Bubla.’  He was extremely popular across race courses and besides trotting off to various venues to witness his horses, Mr Jeejeebhoy also supported the racing industry, sponsoring some of the big races at different centres. He owned a good string of horses and had many successes on the turf.

He also served the RWITC as a member of the board of appeal for several terms and showcased his acute sense of consideration and sound judgments in disposing off scores of appeals. By and large, he loved his horses and was a very sporting owner who kept a low profile.

Business tycoon and well-known philanthropist Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla is one of Byram’s childhood friends. Dr Poonawalla, saddened that his friend is no more. fondly recalled his association with his good ‘ol buddy.    

“I knew Byram (fondly known as “Bubla”) from his 5th birthday party in Pune held at “Villoo Villa”.  From then we have been friends till his sad demise.  In fact, we first started going racing in Ooty where children at the age of 12 were permitted.  I recall Bubla saying at that time that “I will buy my first race horse from your Stud when I enter the sport”.  Later I was pleasantly surprised when he came to our sale ring in Bombay and bought a Satinello’s filly called “Corniche”, followed by a colt called “Camargue”.  Both of them did well and that’s how he got encouraged to buy many successful horses – champions, thereafter”. 

“Unfortunately, Bubla was ailing for quite some time and his sheer guts kept him going till his recent sad demise. May God bless his soul,” said Dr Cyrus Poonawalla.

Being closely associated with Mr Byram for decades and as partners in several horses as well, Mr Zavaray Poonawalla, Chairman, RWITC was lamenting on not being able to attend his close friend’s last rites to pay homage. “I was stuck at Pune and just could not make it. Byram, popularly known as ‘Bubla,’ was a great personality and a true friend. He was from a well-known family, a good Indian and a good Parsi. He was my racing partner too. He had great knowledge of horse flesh and the sport. He also did well while holding positions in the Club’s committee and the Board of Appeal. His love for horses was evident and his family has been associated with racing for over three decades. Bubla was well-spoken at all times and I can vouch that he has not uttered a single unsavoury word to anyone ever. He was absolutely down to earth and was liked by everyone all around. His passing away is a great loss to Indian racing, to Mumbai and to the community,” said Mr Zavaray Poonawalla.

Mr Vivek Jain, former Chairman of the RWITC said, “It is a sad news. My association with Byram was over several interactions at the race course and the RWITC. I remember him having generously agreed to sponsor the Eclipse Stakes of India at my request, for several years. He was a member of the Club’s Board of Appeal for several terms and had a deep knowledge of the sport. Known for his mild, unassuming manners, he was affable and a well-respected member of the racing fraternity. His family was involved with the sport for generations.”

Star jockey-turned-trainer Pesi Shroff was grief-stricken by the news and fondly recalls Byram as an absolute gentleman. He said “Byram’s passing away is a personal loss to me and my family. I first rode for Byram very early on in my career. I remember him telling me that his horse – Camargue, was a difficult horse to ride and that I should handle him with kid gloves. Fortunately, Camargue was in a mood to gallop that day and won which brought his owner much joy.”

 As a person, he was soft-spoken, yet extremely direct with a strong sense of what is right and wrong. He had a zest for life which one has rarely witnessed. He would be most upset with me if I failed to mention his impeccable dress sense and his charismatic personality.  I will certainly miss him,” said an obviously hurt Pesi Shroff.   

Another top jockey-turned-trainer, Malesh Narredu, said he was ‘numbed’ on hearing the sad news.  “It is a grief which I shall not overcome very soon. I admired the man all through my career. I was fortunate to ride a lot of winners for him and that included many Classics and Group races. I won the Indian St Leger (Gr1) at Mumbai, the President of India Gold Cup (Gr1) and the St Leger (Gr1) at Hyderabad astride his horse Zurbaran in 2003 and also the Indian 2000 Guineas atop Berlioz the following year.   The real depth and understanding Mr Byram had showed was in his greatness at accepting it gracefully when things did not go his way. Few have that quality and this, in my opinion, made him exceptional. The man was all grace no matter what the outcome was and that indeed is the real steel in his character. He never showed his disappointment ever and always had words of encouragement. That spurred us on, as jockeys.”

“Currently, as trainer for many of his horses, I must say that he certainly comes about as a sportive owner. He had the eye to gauge the potential as well as the limitations of his horses. Hence, his post-race analysis were always spot on. I want to add another incident here, other than racing; his sense of dressing was immaculate. From hat to boot, he was dressed for the occasion. I had once complimented him, particularly on the hat he had sported, while the horses were in the paddock. Since I had genuinely loved the hat which he was wearing – it was a spotless white hat that went so well on him - it occurred to him that I had liked his hat. After the races he came to me and gave me that expensive hat! I couldn’t believe it! Of course I accepted it happily, but I never once wore it, more out of respect for the gentleman. However, I still treasure the hat and it remains one of my priciest possessions. To me his passing away is a great personal loss,” said an emotionally charged Malesh.

There is no doubt that Mr Byram Jeejeebhoy struck an emotional chord with everyone who knew him. Although he had taken ill a long while ago, he remained cheerful and kept his high-spirits going whenever he could visit the racecourse. The ‘go-to’ man is sadly gone! A pure and a good soul now remains among the racing fraternity as a golden memory!