WIN LEGEND SCORES A GRAND SLAMWinning all three summer Classics in Bangalore

There were celebrations on at Dashmesh Stud Farm when the progeny of their inmate Win Legend had eclipsed both the Fillies and Colts Championship Stakes earlier and much was said and more expected in the running of the Bangalore Derby. Sir Cecil’s margin of victory was reduced in his last outing, albeit to a much better horse, and there were expectations of an upset over the Derby distance. A filly in contention had actually clocked a better timing, so could she cause an upset? All that was purely academic for Sir Cecil took charge of the Kingfisher Ultra Derby Bangalore, Gr.1 in style and was unchallenged and unhindered as he powered away to a splendid victory winning over the mile and a quarter in 2:03.89 which was marginally slower than the timing of this race last year. He remains unbeaten in five starts with four of his races being Group races, two Group 1 and a Group 2 and Group 3 race, having earned prize money of Rs 202,18,819 in seven months. He has had three different jockeys partner him in these wins indicating that he knows what to do and does it well.

He will now be given his deserved break to prepare for the long and important winter campaign that lies ahead. He is without doubt the best on the horizon and with an Indian Derby winner, Hall Of Famer as a sibling, there is much to emulate. This is a year when we saw Corfe Castle, a full brother to Ruffina, win the Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi-Million, a race his full sister won in 2017. Will the trend continue with Hall Of Famer and Sir Cecil? While he is the best on the horizon at this point of time one will have to see if any other champions in the making come out of the rain shelter. Trainer S. Padmanabhan is a veteran of the game, winning his 98^th Classic with this race and will nurture his champion to go all the way.