Following his last success in the Hyderabad Derby, the first under Pesi Shroff’s care, Duke of Tuscany ran six times and his best effort was ending third in a blanket finish behind Dyf in the CN Wadia Gold Cup last April. Later, during his monsoon campaign here at Pune, Duke of Tuscany went down to Dream Alliance and showed no improvement either in the Idar Gold Trophy or the Indian St. Leger. Duke of Tuscany, however, turned the tables on his victors by returning triumphant in the RWITC Ltd. Trophy, run on the concluding day of the Pune racing season 2025. Duke of Tuscany, who was bred at the Nanoli Stud Farms, is co-owned Messrs Khushroo N. Dhunjibhoy, Zahir K. Dhunjibhoy, Rama Seshu Eyunni, Ms Anosha Meyers and Ms Anita J. Captain.
 
Trevor Patel had Duke of Tuscany running well off the pace as no-hoper Ruling Dynasty set the pace over the mile and quarter trip and was closely followed by Mojito, who had favourite Redefined gnawing at his heels. Regina Memorabilis, Odysseus and second-in-demand Psychic Star racing in the mid-bunch. As the pace quickened, Mojito headed the field briefly before Suraj Narredu eased Regina Memorabilis into the lead as they approached the final turn. In the meanwhile, both Psychic Star and Odysseus improved their position even as A. Sandesh found no acceleration when he switched gears astride Redefined, who then dropped back out of contention. Just behind them Duke of Tuscany started to devour ground when Trevor stirred him into action and rapidly got close to the leaders. In his attempt to collar Imtiaz Sait-trained Regina Memorabilis, G. Vivek pressed Psychic Star into action when the heads turned for home but the filly could not progress and she left it to her stablemates Odysseus and Duke of Tuscany to try and achieve what she could not. Duke of Tuscany then produced a sparkling gallop under Trevor’s whip and lengthened his strides in the last furlong to range alongside Regina Memorabilis. The final burst from Shroff’s protégé eclipsed the gallant attempt of both Regina Memorabilis and Suraj Narredu. Duke of Tuscany (Cougar Mountain – Nicollini) gained the upper hand in the last hundred metres and won sparing a length to Regina Memorabilis while Odysseus ended a similar distance behind in the third position. Dream Alliance took a lethargic start and graced the wrong end of the field till coming into straight before flashing on to the scene to finish a close fourth. Psychic Star ended fifth. Duke of Tuscany’s success not only gave Shroff another graded success but also enabled him to edge out veteran Imtiaz Sait in the leading trainer’s race as they were both tied with 13 winners each till the final day.
 
Before Redefined’s painful failure, Prasanna Kumar led in Starlight Serenade, the debutant juvenile in the Mayor Baburao Sanas Memorial Million, the first event held for two-year old juveniles. Even-money favourite Starlight Serenade (Sporting Chance – Indian Empress) was off to a brilliant start from the gates and left her rivals stranded much before the field of seven entered the straight giving jockey G. Vivek the luxury of easing her up a long way from home. The winner’s stablemate Bravion beat Nebula by a nose to take the runner-up slot whilst Menorca completed the final frame of four.
 
The General Rajendrasinhji Million was claimed by Giacomo, who completed a hat-trick in taking style. Ridden confidently by Sandesh, Dallas Todywalla-schooled Giacomo lay unconcerned behind Tyrannus who sped into the lead ahead of Darcy while the rest of the field raced in a close bunch. Giacomo (Leitir Mor – River Dance) went cruising into the lead when Sandesh released the brakes at the turn and the bay colt strode away for an emphatic win over Tyrannus who held on to the second place by a head from favourite Rosario, who failed to quicken in the straight and had Miracle of Hanukah finishing a neck behind.
 
Three-year old Encino hailing from Adhirajsingh Jodha’s yard treated the older set competing for the B. Prakash Salver with disdain as he went on to achieve his second career success. Entrusted to Trevor, who carried an overweight of 2kgs, Encino made steady progress after lying fourth behind leader Wind Dancer, Lord And Master and Treat till the heads turned for home. The moment Encino (Gusto – Choice House) swooped down on Wind Dancer, the race was as good as over. Treat managed to finish second, nearly six lengths behind the winner while Amazing Ruler and Wind Dancer ran third and fourth respectively.
 
Nazzak Chenoy-nursed Ataash registered a quick an encore in the Delhi Race Club Trophy beating favourite Credence in a close finish. Shazaan Shah-groomed and apprentice Ramswarup-piloted Credence hit the front as usual and appeared home and dry before rookie A. Omkar spurred Ataash. The six-year old mare Ataash (Speaking of Which – Sacred Fire) responded positively to her young rider’s call and wore down Credence about fifty metres away from home. Irish Gold latched on to the third spot beating Turn and Burn, who was a victim of jostling in the early part of the race and then could not get a clear run after finding a wall of horses in front of him, by a neck.
 
Shroff’s ward Crimson Pirate, who was running for only the second time in his career, came in for sustained support in the betting for the Pune Cantonment Board (Div-II). The colt, however, ran hopelessly as jockey A. Prakash failed to get a favourable position after jumping out of the gates. Majestic Warrior headed the field with Jet Typhoon and Believe in pursuit but could not repel the onslaught of the last named. K. Pranil went flat out astride S. Waheed-saddled Believe (Planetaire – Noble Lady) to secure a comfortable win over runner-up Majestic Warrior. Flashman and Red Dust followed them home. 
 
The other two divisions of the Pune Cantonment Board Trophy were claimed by unfancied Dancing Cloud and Star Impact, who both won against the run of expectations. Hosidar Daji-schooled Dancing Cloud allowed Ensky to call the shots after a fluent jump from the gates and was followed behind by Mila and Red Mist. Mila snatched the lead from Ensky in the straight while Dancing Cloud had to switch lanes after being inconvenienced by Mila close home. With Red Mist not going anywhere, K. Nazil got Dancing Cloud (Gusto – Radical Attraction) back into contention with a vigorous effort to pip Mila on the post. Shroff-saddled debutant Spotlight unleashed a powerful run when shown the daylight by Pranil after entering the home stretch and ended an eye-catching third, a neck behind Mila. Red Mist finished a length away in the fourth spot.
 
Aman Hussain-schooled Star Impact, though ignored in the betting, displayed a splendid turn of foot when jockey K. Mukesh Kumar brought her into the reckoning inside the last two furlongs and then decided to essay his challenge by bringing the filly through the shortest way home. Star Impact (Multitude – Fortaleza) breezed past runner-up Storm Cloud, who took over the running from Chardikala halfway through the six-furlong journey, in the last fifty metres. Eastern Monarch drifted out under pressure in the closing stages of the race before ending a neck behind Storm Cloud with Chelsea taking the fourth place. Trevor-ridden favourite Foujita failed to raise any hopes for her followers as she languished in the rear and curiously finished last. 
 
Pranil achieved a double both for himself and trainer Waheed when he packed enough power in his finishing effort aboard Exotic Star to stave off the challenge of Yuletide in the Aster Rose Plate. Exotic Star (Saamidd – Shivalik Honour) raced alongside Daianne as they chased Silver Braid into the straight and took charge when the field turned for home. Apprentice Avinash Paswan-partnered Yuletide posed a serious threat to Exotic Star but the stronger rider prevailed in the end. Daianne ended a tame third ahead of Silver Braid. S. Zervan-ridden favourite Alexandria, who finished fifth, was squeezed out of contention by Daianne and Yuletide just when the filly was trying to launch her final assault.
 
The concluding event of the season saw apprentice rider Ritesh Gocchi earn his first career win astride Faisal Abbas-saddled Untitled. Twelve-year old Untitled (Sussex – Overdrive), who until recently was in former trainer HJ Antia’s care, showed a clean pair of heels to his rivals and refused to yield despite the late charge of runner-up Adonis. Moment of Madness ran thereabouts to be third ahead of stablemate Arbitrage.

Champions of the Pune Season 2025:
 
Mr Vijay Shirke and his family were declared as the leading owners this season having earned Rs. 52,83,901 in stake money. 
Pune-based Equus Stud Farms with 31 points was adjudged as the leading stud farm. 
Pesi Shroff was the leading trainer with 14 wins. 
A. Sandesh was the leading jockey with 33 wins. 
Apprentice rider Aditya Waydande with 13 wins was declared both leading jockey with allowance and leading apprentice jockey.