Mercifully the final day's races at Udhagamandalam went through despite the dark clouds and a light shower after a couple of races threatened to disrupt the proceedings. The final plum of the season, the Nilgiris Gold Cup was claimed by the in-form Knight In Hooves from Fazal-Ul-Rehman's yard who completed a hat-trick of wins at this centre. All credit to Fazal for keeping the 'Knight' in fine shape all through the season and the top performer did make his trainer proud providing the icing on the cake, while winning the plum in fine style when pitted against quality performers including classic winners Something Royal and Evaldo. 

Guiding the fortunes of Knight In Hooves, the champion saddle artiste Umesh produced a splendid effort on the winner in the mile long event, settling him nice and easy for most part of the journey before he reminded the Fazal ward of the task ahead approaching the final curve and the in-form contestant readily produced a winning gallop to sail past the front runners to sign off the season in resplendent style. Knotty Dancer followed the winner home ahead of the favourite Something Royal, while Evaldo performed below par and finished down the field. 

The 5/1 shot Supreme Grandeur reigned supreme in the upper division of the Animal Kingdom Handicap run over a sprint. The winner from Robert Foley's yard partnered by Sah Farid Ansari produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to edge out Gods Plan and the public choice Knotty Wonder, who failed to gain a favourable position early in the six furlongs event. The lower division of the event produced a shock result, the 10 to one long shot Soft Whisper from B Suresh's yard making every post a winning one in the hands of Brisson. The Suraj Shaw schooled Opus One followed the shock winner home, while the three top fancies, Berrettini, Spirit Of The Rose and Bertha failed to even save money in place. 

Second in demand at the betting ring, Knotty In Blue came up tops in the Hall Of Honour Handicap run over a sprint. The winner piloted by Kuldeep Singh seized the initiative at the top of the straight and powered through to put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. The eight to one shot Western Girl from lady trainer Rupa's yard,  who was sweetly fancied in place did well to gain the runner-up berth to the delight of her supporters, while the public choice Amazing Attraction produced a patchy effort and only managed to finish a tame third ahead of Marquita. 

Last start winner Gold Fame and Alpha Domino topped the betting board in the final event of the season, the Davidoff Handicap run over a distance of nine furlongs. The Suresh-trained Royal Baron too was touted a good win and place prospect. But much to the chagrin of the followers of form who took a beating all  through the season, rank outsider Queen Anula floored the railbirds pegging back the challenge of Royal Baron who was ineptly ridden by apprentice Ram Nandan Manjhi. The apprentice took Royal Baron on a conducted tour of the Nilgiris and this cost the supporters of Suresh ward dear. Gold Fame found the first two too hot to handle and had to rest content with the third spot. 

Earlier, the five to one shot Sian from the stables of champion trainer Suraj Shaw came up trumps in the opening event, the Havana Gold Handicap. The favourite Grace after calling the shots for most part of the 1500 trip, it appeared lost her galloping shoes and eventually finished in the ruck. Waytogo from Uthaiah's yard gained the runner-up berth ahead of last start shocker Sunche Dreams. 

Second in demand at the betting ring, Aurora Borealis from Robert Foley's yard proved too good in the Motivator Handicap powering through to register a facile victory to the delight of the Robert Foley camp. The favourite Safety followed the smart winner home, while another fancied runner Lebua failed to display her true potential, apparently not enjoying the heavy underfoot conditions and as a result finished down the field. 

The talented Forest Fragrance chalked out her second straight victory winning the Farewell Cup in style. The impressive effort of the filly brought the smile back on the face of Vijay Singh who appeared down and out after more than five fancied runners from his yard bit the dust in the final two days. Hindu Singh produced a copybook effort on the winner who is certain to make her presence felt in good company if her connections choose to test her in richer plums in the Bangalore summer season which is under a cloud or at Malakpet.

Champions of Ooty Races 2024

Leading Owner- Dr.M.A.M.Ramaswamy Chettiar Of ChettinadCharitable Trust

Champion Trainer- Suraj Shaw

Champion Jockey - C Umesh

Champion Apprentice Jockey - Koshi Kumar

Leading Bookmaker- M/s Balaji Enterprises