Hi Friends,

Along with me, a majority of Horse Talkers must be reading here and there in this forum (but opinion aired almost by the same person) that the money earned in racing will not stay with you. For that matter, which money stays?

According to the arguments placed, the money coming as profit from a gambling act like racing must be spent for entertainment (which means next day you must again borrow or steal money from somewhere and then visit a race-course...!)

The money that you or i get is the money that someone else lost and, therefore, you are taking evil in the name of profit, and that can at the best only spoil your peace at home? What kind of a weird thinking is this?

Are 'Karma' and racing so closely associated with? If so, why those who advocate such a theory enter the course itself? I tell you, these people are there out to spoil the mindset of race-goers, and include them into their "mad men's club"?

These kind of people, i'm afraid, must have been born a few centuries before. in a fast-moving world, where the needs are growing like anything and the income is unable to match the expense, how can such ideas hold good? Who is bothered whose money you get as long as you get it through proper approach?

In Kerala jails, chappatis are sold for Rs.2/- and a huge crowd can be seen in front of jails in many places. Why? People want to save money and appreciate and encourage the criminals to come to mainstream? if you allow our 'strange' characters to comment on this, they may say : "Don't buy these rotis, you're buying evils."

I must have lost close to 1 to 2 crore rupees in racing in a span of 25 years (this is again only a rough calculation and let there not be any CBI enquiry into my past earnings!!). Now, the entire investment was not my money, only a portion of it. The rest is the profit I made at regular intervals, which I subsequently invested in the game. After quiting racing, i have a house in my name, a Ford, two two-wheelers and sufficient bank balance. I and my wife also earn more than a lakh rupees together every month. Is it only not my self-confidence that made me withstand the ups and downs in my life? If only had I kept talking rubbish during my tough times, I might have been "Late Mr. SSPP" long before. But I didn't because I know where I stand, and at every stage I knew everything was still under control.

As far as peace of mind and personal care is concerned, I remain fresh and healthy after all the so-called turmoil that i came across. This is life. Friends, please don't go by baseless stories that are cooked by people who have lost everything and keep pricking others with no self conscience to prick upon.

Thanks to all those who keep buttressing my views here and there, and also to those who have been critical of my views. I will continue to be in HT, despite my hectic office schedule that takes me to many parts of India and abroad (most of the places which offer horse racing).

I am planning to publish a book on racing soon, where I shall touch upon more interesting facts.