TRAINER S PADMANABHAN

If anyone can pull out a surprise win, it’s S. Padmanabhan. However, it is no surprise to him at all, as this master strategist and Champion trainer knows what it takes to produce a champion from selection to track performance.Starting his career in Madras in 1981 he won only two races during his first season. The following year he did a stint in Ooty before finally settling down in Bangalore with the early days proving to be a fight for survival and then existence. With grit, determination, talent and a never-say-die attitude Padmanbhan chartered his career over a span of over three decades setting him at the top with the very best.Padmanabhan’s strength lies in the fact that he is unafraid to go to into unchartered territory and use untested strategy if the need arises. A keen traveller of horses he sets fear into the opposition when a challenger from his stable arrives and his paddock presence is almost everywhere.

On route to the big challenge of the Indian Derby, he took in the Golconda Derby Stakes, Gr.1 and won his 100th Classic with owned-bred-trained Indian Pharaoh. This is a very laudable achievement, one which he will take in his stride while he goes about adding more to the tally.

His Indian Classic Tally is:
Indian 1000 Guineas: Winning Pretty (2004); Running Flame (1998).
Indian 2000 Guineas: Berlioz (2004).
Indian Oaks: Running Flame (1999); Congratulations (2000); Isn’t She Special (2012).
Indian Derby:In The Spotlight (2012);Desert God (2016); Hall Of Famer (2017).
Indian St Leger: Zurbaran (2003); Noble Prince (2008); Change Of Luck (2010); In The Spotlight (2012); Desert God (2016).