Horse Racing india 1000 Guineas

Due to centuries of colonial history and legacy , modern India horse racing is influenced by British traditions . Just like 5 annual classics in British horse racing , the highlight of Indian horse racing seasons is the 5 Indian classics The 1000 G  is one of the most historic classic events held in India.

Similar to the other 1000 G held in united kingdom and commonwealth territories like Australia , the Indian version is held over a distance of one mile or roughly 1600 m

 THE VENUE

The Mahalaxami race course in India is the home of all but one of the 5 classics , The Indian st leger . So the Indian 1000 G is also held each year in city of Mumbai , under the control of RWITC .

 Traditionally The Indian 1000 G is held in month of December on a Saturday .The race is part of winter season of Mumbai racing calender . It holds special significance as the first Indian classic of the season at Mumbai . The 1000 G acts as curtain raiser and is quickly followed usually the the following day ( a sunday ) by the 2000 G 

The racing is generally held towards the evening with the start scheduled around 4 pm only fillies who are 3 years old that year can participate in the 1000 G and as per indian racing tradition only horses born in India can compete in all classics including the 1000 G . All the fillies carry level weights for this event . 

The History Behind Indian 1000 G 

The Indian 1000 G holds the distinction of being the first ever Indian classic  . While the Brirish equialent traces its history way back to 1814 or there abouts the Indian variant only took off nearly 150 years later . 

Before 1940s there was no tradition or concept of an Indian classic .There were prestigious races like The Calcutta Derby  or the Governors cup , but nothing along the lines of the 5 British classics . All this changed in 1943 when RWITC mumbai hosted 3 Indian classics . The Indian 1000 G , The Indian 2000 G , and the Derby 

Of the 3 , The Indian 1000 G was hosted first on jan 1 1943 in mumbai in the first 5-6 iterations of this race it was held either in january or Dec . Starting with the 7th Indian 1000 G in 1948 the race has been held exclusiely in dec .

Princess Beautiful , trained by M C patel and ridden by E Britt was the winner of 1st ever 1000 G in India . That year , the filly owned by the maharaja of Gaekwad also went on to win all 3 classics.