Dear cruise, interaction among persons with genuine  HorseRacing interest, is the most welcome relief. We just put in what comes to our mind readily about past events. Even if we are at fault, there are gentlemen who give the correct position, and we accept it...Besides we are not writing any exam for advancement in life. All for time pass without a rupee escaping from our purse. 

Dear Cruise with failing Eyesight and power cut (Electricity) yesterday frequently, and today morning, I have committed many errors while typing. I have mailed it without checking what I have posted...   In the future, before posting I will re-check it once again.

Hello Kolramsri,

Come to think of it you could be right.
It may have been in 1980 that  I played the juvenile race as mentioned and could have gone for it because of the dam ( Winter Holiday ) along with the christian connections ( trainer D.M.Hill and rider C.H.Eccleston ).
Major's rejoinder does suggest that.

regds,
Cruise

Hello Kolramsri,

How could  I play a 1978 foal, Star Court in 1979 winter season?
I am absolutely certain that it was Christmas Holiday ( Fey Legend x Winter Holiday ). 
I don't need any confirmation of the same for so sure am I of that.
No way can Christmas Holiday be a 1974 foal as I was not into active racing in 1976/77.

regds,
Cruise.

Cruise. Regarding CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY. (Mare) was a 1974 foal., thereby not eligible to run in a juvenile race of 1979.

 The Horse you have played on that day could be STAR COURT. a 1978 foal. Pedigree FEY LEGEND OUT OF WINTER HOLIDAY. Corrections are welcome.

Hello Kolramsri,

Speaking of C.H.Eccleston brings back old memories.

This pertains to Christmas time of 1979 Madras season.
I was a novice in racing and had no clue to pick a winner. Entered the course since it was winter vacation.
Lo and behold, what do I see in the juvenile race of the day!
A runner named as Christmas Holiday ( Fey Legend x Winter Holiday ).
Trained by a christian trainer - D.M.Hill, and ridden by a christian jockey, C.H.Eccleston.
Being a kid I felt this was a good pointer. To top it, the name of the dam was Winter Holiday.

I felt I ought to have a go and did so. The odds opened at around 8/1 and the best price offered was 12/1.

To cut the story short, Christmas Holiday did score and made it a memorable christmas vacation.

As to the country of origin of C.H.Eccleston, I am not too sure and wouldn't want to guess. He did come to ride in India during winter season but from where, to that. I haven't got any clue.

regds,
Cruise
 

@ Kolmarasi and Cruise, Bangalore.

It is astonishing to note that both of you possess a vast knowledge about Indian racing that held  decades back in various centres with absolute perfection.  It is always a pleasure  to remember those days when the sport is conducted transparently and honestly. It is very interesting to go through such narrations. Looking forward for  many such rewindings.

All the best.

Dear Cruise. The following all from Memory. It was during the early regular season of 1979 Bangalore winter. I and my friend were there in the BTC. Those days Everyday II was the talk of the town  First race to start at 12.30. Before the start, we both were sure of ROYAL JEWEL(sire EverydayII) ridden by Karan Singh winning that Juvenile race. That time I met a Sports columnist friend, who strongly advised me to go for Merry Legs ridden by  Clive Eccleston, trained by Sydney Moses( judiciously prepared and strongly fancied).Royal Jewel was available at 6/4 whereas Merry Legs was quietly fancied and was quoted at 21/10. I played 800 rupees on Merry legs at  2 and a quarter against my friends' nagging. Royal jewel right from the start was leading merrily unchallenged till the last 100 meters to the post. my friends' outburst started unabated. Merry legs which was following Royal Jewel started galloping resolutely and nailed Royal Jewel on the post. For Eccleston, the very first mount in India was the winning one. (Sports columnist who helped me was a friend of S. Moses also and he confirmed, Sydney Moses belongs to the Jewish Community.

I think Jockey Eccleston is an English jockey.

Cruise. Rubynella was the first foal of RED COCKADE. She inherited the initial speed from the sire and stayed for the 1400 meter beating Deep Water Blues. which did not do anything noteworthy except winning( in a weak set)the Calcutta Oaks in the year 1981. Both Rubynella and Deep Water Blues credited with a solitary (ordinary) classic win. I have no idea about the odds quoted on Rubynella.

Hello Kolramsri,

Do you recall of Rubynella, winner of Nilgiris Fillies stakes?

The above race is forever etched in my memory for it provided me with my first long-shot winner at the odds of 60 to 1.
The favourite was Deep Water Blues, owned by late racing baron Dr MAM Ramaswamy. trained by Aris David, and ridden by M.Jagdish.
The odds on Deep Water Blues was 30/100.

Everyone had expected Deep Water Blues to canter home an easy winner but Rubynella, trained by D.M.Hill and ridden by Md. Dustagir had other ideas. She won the race end-to-end.

I will always cherish the victory and also of the rider who gave me my first long-shot winner.

Md. Dustagir was last seen riding for Sidney Moses at Bangalore before fading out.

regds,
Cruise

May the Lord grant eternal salvation to the soul of Narayan Shanker.

RIP,  Sir.

May God bless the departed soul.

Aravind. Jockey  Dustagir, not connected to M.A.M. Stable. He rode for D.M. Hill. His ride on Enter the Red. sometime in Feb 1979 comes to my mind. In that race, He ( app at that time) was not allowed any opening till 20 meters to the winning post. In the dying moment, in a fraction of a second, he moved to the outside of the two front runners and won the race in a photo. There was all-round applause. (I don't know whether his name Dustagir or Dustigar) All from memory only. 

Ruchi sir yes you are right,he was riding for Aziz Mahmoud ,he rode a very good horse Never Never also to victory

Thanks for briefing Mr. Dastageer Ullah.

Though you could not able to attend his funeral,  you paid him great tributes by posting information about his demise in these columns which will reach his fans worldwide.

Please connect with us in Horse Talk and offer your valuable comments in various topics posted here. 

I remember N.Shankar because I solved JP with his mount Royal Ambassador on Thundering's Colts trial win day. This is all from memory subject to correction by people like Kolramsri and ITR. I don't remember the name of the horse in the first leg. It was grey from R.M.Puttanna's stable a very fast front running horse. This horse ran in the Derby ridden by P.Khade and was over a distance in front till the bend. The second leg was Thundering,third leg was The Patrician, four the leg was Royal Ambassador (N.Sankar) and the last leg was Nine Gems. My combination ticket amount was Rs.90.00.

Royal Ambassador I kept for N.Sankar only and it was 20/1. N.Sankar was one of my favourite jockeys.

May be DASTAGER can clarify.

Was Shankar the same rider who won on RUBY ROYAL ,the COLTS TRIAL at BANGALORE at good odds??

For AZIZ MOHD he used to ride NAVAL GLORY ,AL MAZROUK etc

Rest in peace- N Shankar

May his soul Rest in Peace

ayyarnet

MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

If I rightly remember Dastageer was once a famous jockey at Ooty. Yester year racing professionals like him, I wish , shall interact with us in these columns on regular basis. My heartfelt condolences to the kith and kin of late Shankar ji. May his soul rest in peace.

RIP N.Shankar.

vijay kumar sir I was Assistant trainer to him,not decade before,3 decades before,in Hyderabad

Mr.Aravind,he was associated with RWITC only,while he was a jockey,he was riding for Aziz Mahmoud,later he got trainer licence in Hydrabad,and was with his brother Jockey Late B.Shanker (who died 3 years before due to cancer).At that time I was Assistant trainer to him and Shahzad Abbas was Assistant trainer to A.G.Thompson.days went on ,suddently Mr.N.shanker one unfortunate morning he became insane,he was taken to poona,later he fell down from stairs,and was brought back to Hyderabad by his brother and he remained there till his death,very unfortunate,I could not attend his funeral due present calamity.Believe me he was a gentle man,he never ever pulled his horse whether favourite or fluke .he will not listen to any of his owner in regard to these bad things,he will rather tell the owner to take the horse and give it to other trainer,he use to say gareebon ka paap lene ko bolta,his brother B.shanker too was same ,he was always been my great friend,own brother and well wisher.

R.I.P N.Shanker.

His soul RIP.

In its long history, the Indian Turf has produced  many  formidable Trainers who have rendered loyal service to their stable and N. SHANKER is one among them.  His name will be long remembered in the racing industry. The present day Trainers should take a clue from him with regard to loyalty to their profession so that the dignity of the sport wil be protected in the long run..   May his soul rest in peace.

I think the author of this post is a jockey a decade  ago..

RIP N Shankar

Dear. dastageer I remember if I am correct N Shankar was a Jockey in Chennai and worked at MAM and DM Hill stables. Also one more question Do you also a former Jockey in Chennai?