racing in india
Bloodstock in India
Bloodstock agents Gaurav Rampal (GR) and Gautam Shridhar Kotwal (GK) answer questions on the bloodstock industy in India.
How do you feel the industry is progressing in India at present? How can racing in the country grow and develop? GR: The overall racing industry is not really progressing, however, in recent years it has attracted some big individual buyers who have invested in a big way in the sport. The quality of the country’s bloodstock, as well as the quality of imports, has significantly improved in recent years. GK: The horseracing and bloodstock industry is going through a very rough phase in India currently. The Mumbai, Bangalore and Mysore race tracks are all facing tough issues with their local respective governments. The sport can only grow and develop if the Turf Authorities of India and the National Horse Breeding Society start to provide proper direction for growth and stability.
Do you think that Indian horseracing could join the main players on the global stage? Is that an aim for the sport?
GR: Currently, it is a herculian task to join the main players on the global stage. But if a solid policy is laid out for growth and development, it is not impossible. GK: That is an aim for the sport, but we have a long way to go (investments, infrastructure, manpower and government support) before we will be competitive at a respectable global stage.
Do you feel that the lifting of the import restrictions will be important to the future of the business in India? GR: Yes, most definitely. It will help to constantly upgrade our stock. There is plenty to look forward to here with sires such as the Group 1 winner and Group 1 proven sire Noverre standing here and the recent Group 1-winning recruit Varenar. GS: The removal of import restrictions has helped the Indian breeder to broaden his choice. Most certainly it will help to import world-class bloodlines into India.
Did you buy horses at Tattersalls? If so, did it mean that you bought less at Goffs? Do you think more horses were bought for India as a whole last year?
GR Yes, Indian connections bought around 50 lots. Overall, more horses were bought, and the fall in prices definitely helped us buy better mares. GK: Yes, I bought horses at Tattersalls only because we were no more pushed to fullfill our commitments at Goffs. Yes there was approx a 10 per cent to 15 per cent increase in imports.
Will you or connections source horses in the US, which has also had restrictions removed? GR: We bought at Keeneland as well – in similar numbers to those horses bought at Tattersalls. GS: Sourcing horses in the US is a must.
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since proved them wrong and is now one of the most exciting sires in the country. Sue’s visit to India also took in a trip to Poonawalla Stud (below), Pune where fellow traveller Harry Herbert took the opportunity to check out a son of Motivator (bottom picture). The mares at the lavish farm were shown off to visitors on the “parade ground”. Poonawalla Stud Farms was established (as the Poona Stud Farm) in 1946 by the late Soli. A. Poonawalla with approximately a dozen mares and one stallion, Fitz Clarence. From its very first crop the farm produced the Indian 2,000 Guineas winner, Fitzcall. Today, Poonawalla Stud Farms is the leading stud farm in India having
won eight champion breeders awards, four times in successive years since the awards inception only 13 years ago. The farm has bred 318 Classic winners (all in India) to date, including winners of eight Indian Derbys and 65 Indian Classics. It is the highest stakesearning establishment in the country with over 289 home-breds earning stakes in excess of Rs.1 million. The farm stands three stallions, the newst recruit being the former Ballydoyle recruit, Ace, who was rated 125 by Timeform and was multiple Group 1 placed in Europe. Unfortunately the stud recently lost its leading stallion, Placerville, his loss coming only three day’s after Usha farm lost its stallion, Razeen.