The Karnataka state government has recalled the tender of the heritage Kunigal Stud Farm. The decision to stop horse breeding operations at the famed  farm which has consistently produced champion horses, who have placed Indian racing on the international map defies logic and the racing industry is up in arms protesting against the whimsical government decision.

The moment the news that the government has recalled the tender on Dec 11, 2023 was splashed, animal lovers and the thousands of local people staged protests in Kunigal and a `Save Kunigal’ campaign gathered steam, most local activists, environmentalists, politicians and senior advocates, making it clear that they will not allow  the heritage stud farm,  a site where  the legendary Mysore King Tippu Sultan bred his horses for his cavalry to fight the British to shut shop in favour of the proposed integrated township by the government.   

The Kunigal Stud Farm spread over 427 acres of land was leased out to Vijay Mallya, head honcho of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders (URBB) Limited  in 1992 for a period of 30 years, only for breeding of horses.  After the leased expired on Sept 30, 2022, the department of Animal Husbandry on Jan 6, 2023, called for e-tenders for the new lease of Kunigal Stud Farm. The financial bids for the tender generated maximum interest in the Indian breeding circles and the Animal Husbandry department revealed that the Villoo Poonawalla Greenfield Farms emerged H-1 (highest bidder) offering 1.4 crore per annum against the reserve price of 1.16 crore . A total of six bids were put in before the highest bidder was established and announced after the opening of bids on 21, Feb, 2023.  

The then BJP government decided not to disturb the heritage status of the farm and continue with the horse breeding operations at the farm. The Animal Husbandry department finalised the new lease procedure and identified the highest bidder, but before the final cabinet approval, the BJP lost the elections and the new government put the tender on hold for more than eight months before recalling the tender much to the disappointment and dejection of the racing industry on Dec 11.

“The heritage  Stud Farm is home to thousands of trees, several from rare tree families centuries old ,” said Zeyn Mirza, Managing Director, URBB.  Zeyn pointed out that more than 300-500 trees will need to be felled if the government is looking to set up integrated township on this farm.

“ Leading Indian geologists have gone on record  certifying that that the soil content at this site is good for breeding horses and the bred in purple horses at this famed farm have galloped to fame in all the blue riband events in the Indian racing calendar and that is reason enough for the government to protect the heritage farm and continue the breeding operations at this town, which has brought laurels to the state, “ said Zeyn.

The Janandolana Samithi formed for the protection of the stud farm, the moment the government recalled the tender, has made it clear that they will not allow the setting up of integrated township. The committee led by Siddaramachaitanya Swamiji disclosed that they have decided to oppose all plans and schemes in favour of integrated township.

Former MLA and Vokkaliga Sangha Taluk chief, BB Ramaswamy Gowda revealed that the people of Kunigal know and understand the rich history and culture of the famed farm and to build a integrated township in its place is a disastrous decision. “We will fight tooth and nail to stop the land sharks from grabbing the land. There are more than two parcels of lands more than 500 acres each in the town which can be considered for integrated township, pointed out Ramaswamy Gowda.

When pointed out that the government wants to shift the race course to Kunigal, offering 100 acres of the farm to build a new race course and continue racing operations, Ramaswamy Gowda disclosed that the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) can be allotted land at other places close to the farm. And that it is learnt that BTC is also not in favour of accepting the Kunigal land taking into account that the 70 kilometres distance and the connectivity is not ideal for racing operations in this taluk.

“It is clear from the many “Save Kunigal” campaigns that the people of Karnataka and particularly Kunigal are not in favour of the injudicious government decision and  the government will need to reconsider their decision and preserve this world famous heritage horse breeding centre which is also a great tourist attraction like all the other historical monuments in the state,” said a senior member of the Janandolana Samithi.