Riding like one possessed, champion jockey A. Sandesh scripted a stunning victory for Baychimo, who literally snatched victory right from under the nose of Sovereign King when clinching the Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr.1) on Sunday evening. As the nine-horse field took off from the barriers for the second Indian classic, Rosario slipped into the lead with Namiri, Western Star, whose raw talent apparently remains unbridled, and Big Bay going in pursuit. Not far away from the front bunch raced Oisin Murphy-partnered favourite Zacharias, who had Sovereign King keeping him company. Interestingly, A. Sandesh-piloted Baychimo graced the wrong end of the field and travelled in the same position till Rosario brought the nine-horse field into the home stretch. Rosario caved in about a furlong and half away from the destination as Western Star and Namiri both collared him. However, Antony Raj-ridden Sovereign King caught them unawares as he stealthily slipped through the inner rails to gain the upper hand at the final furlong pole. Meanwhile, Baychimo, after Sandesh pulled him out towards the outer flank, flourished with a spring in his stride and flashed on to the scene just in time to shatter Sovereign King’s dream run. It was indeed a heart-breaking defeat inflicted upon him by his stablemate yet all credit to trainer Adhirajsingh Jodha for keeping the colt in top fettle despite a long break of five months. Just under a length further was Namiri, who ran a length and three parts ahead of Western Star. Namiri, having graduated from the maiden ranks three weeks ago, performed out of her skin to finish third just a length shy of the winner in a classic event. This, incidentally, was only the third career appearance of Namiri.

Adhirajsingh’s ward Baychimo clearly emerged stronger after his failure in the Pune Derby and bounced back to reclaim his winning form as also avenge his Derby defeat. In stark contrast was Zacharias' performance. The classic hopeful from Shroff’s yard lacked the spark witnessed during his runaway victory in the Pune Derby. Even the presence of Englishman Oisin Murphy could not enable Zacharias to match strides with Baychimo and the public's choice was humbled in no uncertain terms. He finished fifth, four lengths behind the winner. David Allan-steered Stormy Sea also suffered the same fate as Zacharias when ending a lacklustre seventh. Regardless, Adhirajsingh achieved the superb feat of saddling both the winner and runner-up in the Group 1 event, a milestone in his career.

Baychimo is co-owned by Messrs Shiven K. Surendranath, Kersi H. Vachha, Vikram Bachhawat and Dr Syed Ainuddin Arif. The winner was sired by French Navy and is out of the broodmare Lady Sergeant. Baychimo was bred at the Jai Govind Stud Farms.