After a summer break that lasted over three months, racegoers will get to witness the enchanting sight of galloping steeds and the mesmerising sound of thundering hooves at Pune. The traditional monsoon racing fiesta will be hosted by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) in the city of Peshwas with the inaugural day of the sport slated for Friday, 18 July. Once again, the turf club administration has planned a compact race programme that will last about three and half months during which it will conduct 20 race meetings. The monsoon season will conclude on November 3, about a fortnight before the racing scene moves to the Mahalaxmi racecourse.

The RWITC is offering prize money of nearly Rs 12 crore, ten percent more than what it distributed last year. Over 700 thoroughbred horses including 274 two-year old juveniles are stationed at the stables in Pune and waiting in the wings to showcase their talent. The highlight of the Pune monsoon season will be the Indian St. Leger (Gr.1) and the Pune Derby (Gr.1) and these two classic events scheduled to be run on Sunday, September 2 and Sunday, October 12 respectively. Several million events including the S. A. Poonawalla Million will boost the competitive quotient of the game and so will the two-day racing carnival tagged along with the running of the prestigious Independence Trophy on August 15.

Although the RWITC is yet to name the sponsors for the Pune Derby and Indian St. Leger, the Poonawalla brothers, Cyrus and Zavaray, will be spearheading the list of contributors to the rich stakes that are being offered to the winning connections. Messrs Khushroo Dhunjibhoy, Shyam Ruia, Farokh Wadia, S. R. Sanas and C. D. Katrak are the other notable sponsors for major events.

Dates on which races will be held at Pune:

July: 18th, 25th.

August: 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 15th, 16th, 24th, 31st.

September: 7th, 13th, 14th, 21st, 27th.

October: 5th, 11th, 12th, 19th, 24th.

November: 2nd.

Prominent events to be held during the season:

Sunday 3rd August – The Eve Champion Trophy (Gr 3).

Sunday 10th August – Yohan Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy (Gr 3).

Friday 15th August – Teena Katrak Memorial Independence Million.

Saturday 16th August – The F. D. Wadia Trophy (Gr 3). 

Saturday 13th September – Supreme Pune City Gold Cup.

Sunday 14th September – The S. A. Poonawalla Million (Gr 3), The Villoo C. Poonawalla Million.

Sunday 21st September – The Indian St. Leger (Gr 1), Mayor Baburao Sanas Memorial Million.

Sunday 5th October – The Threptin Fillies and Mares Stakes (Gr 3).

Sunday 12th October – The Pune Derby (Gr 1), Noshir & Dolly Dhunjibhoy Sprint Million (Gr 3).

Sunday 2nd November – RWITC Ltd. Gold Cup (Gr 2), General Rajendrasinhji Million.