The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : Rare breed of trainers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

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Sport - Racing : Horse

Rare breed of trainers

By S.N. Harish

CHENNAI, MARCH 5. C.D. Katrak has proved when given the horses he could produce results. Apprenticed under Dara Pandole, he started his career in Mumbai. After being in hibernation for a long time with mediocre horses, Katrak has risen like a phoenix to saddle a streak of Classic winners that includes Vesuvius, Aldeburgh, Indiscretion, Palazzio to mention but a few.

One of the outstanding trainers in India, he has two formidable horses in the Invitation line-up, Venus Arising, the heroine of Mumbai and Frida Kahlo. He is yet to win the Invitation Cup.

S. Ganapathy started his career as a racing manager to the powerful racing operations of Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy and learnt his ropes with A.B. David and Jim Foley. There were many eyebrows raised when he was given a licence. He has proved his detractors wrong and produced outstanding results for the turf baron.

Ganapathy is on a roll this year with three Derby wins, Forever Elegance (Bangalore Derby), Elite Zone (Hyderabad Derby) and capping it with Southern Regent (The Indian Derby). Ganapathy will be bidding for his first Invitation success.

S. Padmanabhan who hails from Chennai, started his career in 1982, and is acclaimed for his ability to get horses "UP" to certain engagements. He has given that demonstration of his ability by working Running Flame and Zurbaran into top shape for his two Invitation successes. Padmanabhan learnt his craft by interacting with trainers such as Henry Cecil, Andre Fabre. He has the form at his fingertips. He is saddling Randsberg in the Invitation.

Rashid Byramji, the doyen amongst Indian trainers with an awesome record of Invitation winners including a hat-trick in Chennai with Prince Khartoum in 1972, Commanche (1976) and Track Lightning (1981). Rashid's exploits on the Indian turf are now legendary. He is saddling Andreyan in the Invitation.

Vijay Singh, son of India's accomplished jockey, Jagdish, started his career under A.B. David before taking out his licence in Kolkata, has trained some fine horses over the years — Brave Danger, Burning Fire, Ansbasch — to name but a few. He has pitchforked Aperitivo in the Invitation.

L. D'Silva is a product of the R.W.I.T.C. Apprentice School and was fairly successful as a jockey. He started his career under J.S. Dhariwal. D'Silva is currently based in Hyderabad where he dominated as a champion trainer for seven years winning both the Monsoon and Winter championships. He has Friendly Fire in the Invitation.

Irfan Ghatala dabbled in films as a hero and started as an owner before taking out a Trainer's licence. He has done remarkably well in recent years. Irfan and Silva Storai have been a formidable force. Irfan trains Full Speed in the Invitation.

Invitation winners at Chennai: 1965 Esquire; 1968 Mother's Boy; 1972 Prince Khartoum; 1976 Commanche; 1981 Track Lightning; 1986 Amorous Knight; 1991 Delage; 1996 Supreme Choice; 2001 Storm Again.

Invitation Toppers: Owner: Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy 6. Trainer: R.R. Byramji 12. Jockey: P. Shroff 7. Stud Farm: Poonawalla Group: 10. Fastest time: Zurbaran 2 min. 28.8 secs. Slowest time: Desert Warrior 2 min. 40.9 secs. Closest finish: ½ length, The Pelican. Longest priced winner: Ministerial 50/1.

Breeding: Leading sires: Grey Gaston 3; Riyahi 3.

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