The “filles’ derby”, i.e. the Indian Oaks, is to be run this Sunday the 20th of January, 2019. It’s a race with a magnificent history and brings the best of the fairer sex from all over the country to compete against each other.

This year’s edition, the Hindustan Times Palate Fest Indian Oaks, is sponsored by India’s largest food and music festival, with chief guest Shilpa Shetty Kundra, and a Nickleodeon kids zone, along with prizes for best dressed ladies.

Amidst this festivity, some serious and thrilling racing will take place on the exalted Mahalaxmi race track, with an “all trophy” race card also featuring the Gool S. Poonawalla Million.

The “ladies” who are likely to make the racegoers hot under the collar are the brilliantly bred Paco Boy filly Bluebell, who has had only 3 starts till date, her last one winning the Hyderabad Oaks, Roberta, who has bloodlines to match, and the Bangalore challenger New Creation, winner of the South India Oaks. With a few other quailty fillies likely to “accept” to race, this open contest will throw up a “potential champion”.

The day is special for another reason. Exactly one hundred years ago, in 1919, a child was born in village Gada in Rajasthan. He became an apprentice jockey in 1939, personal trainer to the Maharaja of Idar in 1952, and then branched out to train for the top owners in the country. This gentleman trainer, Mr. Uttam Singh, came to be known as the fillies’ specialist, and trained 7 winners of the Indian Oaks.

These included first time Classic winners for owners as significant as Mr. S.M. Ruia with Venus De Milo (1968) and Mr. Shapoor Mistry with Midnight Madness (1989), and their first Oaks for Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and Z.S. Poonawalla with Potential Champion (1981), As Uttam Singh turns 100 years old this year, the RWITC will felicitate this unique man at the races on Sunday.

Do be there to cheer him on!