Anne Wright, the pioneer and the guiding light of the World Wildlife Movement in India passed away peacefully at Kipling, the Wildlife Resort that she and her late husband Bob had established many years ago. Located in the heart of the Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Kipling was a labour of love for her and nothing would have given her more solace than to have breathed her last encompassed within her own little island of peace, with her daughter Belinda by her side.

Married to the late Robert (Bob) Wright, Anne was very much a part of Calcutta and lived for years at the Tollygunge Club. Almost six decades ago, she laid the foundation of India’s Wildlife Movement, serving in virtually all capacities that included field worker, administrator lobbyist and activist all rolled into one.

She was the founder Trustee of World Wide Fund For Nature ( WWF) India which she helped set up in the 1960s and in 1970, the Prime Minister of India, the late Indira Gandhi appointed her as a member of the Tiger Task Force for Project Tiger. In recognition of her commitment and incredible work, Anne was awarded the Order Of The Golden Ark and The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire.

But if wildlife was her first love, her passion for horses and racing would have run close. Believe me she was second to none. An accomplished horsewoman, I grew up watching her ride in the Gymkhana Races at Tollygunge Club, where she also competed in the equestrian arena as well. It must have been this infatuation with the equine, which saw her enter racing in India as a Breeder and an Owner where she certainly enjoyed more than just a fair degree of success.

I still recall that in the early 1980s, when I was just starting out on a career as a Racing Journalist cum Commentator and Bloodstock Agent, she gave me my first piece of business. She wanted to sell one of her mares and I negotiated a deal or rather she did the negotiating with Zavaray Poonawalla and boy, she could drive a hard bargain!

Fame Star (Gasawar ex Dancing Flame) a filly bred by Anne and owned by her in partnership with Mrs. Sharon Singh, lit up the track at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club where she proved herself to be one of the most versatile horses going, winning from distances ranging from 1200 metres to 2000 metres. Trained by Sharon’s husband, Vijay Singh, Fame Star reeled off a series of wins each one better than the last. She kept her best for The Winter of the 2000-2001 season, which certainly belonged to her as she waltzed away with the Calcutta Gold Cup (Gr.2) and The Indian Champion Cup ( Gr.1).

And so the curtain comes down on what has been an incredible journey for Anne Wright. She lived life to the full and her passing will be the end of an era. You name it and she had done it. Farewell Anne. You will be missed, but certainly not forgotten.