THE BANGALORE WINTER SEASON 2018/19

The Winter Season got underway on November 2, 2018 with a 26 race day schedule. Racing will be held mainly on Fridays and Saturdays and the season is set to conclude on March 22, 2019. The plum race of the season, the Bangalore Derby, is scheduled to be run on January 26, 2019 maintaining its tradition. The level of prize money for all categories of races held during the season will remain the same as that of the Bangalore Summer Season. Aggregate of prize money, cups, incentives, subsidy and contributions constitute a total outlay of approximately 15.50 crore rupees.
This year 26 race days have been scheduled against 17 actual days of racing held last year. Total number of races will be 200 as against 130 held last year. With 225 two-year-olds arriving in Bangalore this year it indicates a decrease in the number from 250 last year. The total number of horses has also come down to 850 this year from 950. 611 horses participated in the winter season last year and there is overall optimism that inspite of a decrease in the number of horses at the centre there will be more active participation. Incentives should motivate the increased participation.
20 stables have been earmarked for allotment on a permanent basis to the following category of outstation horses that will participate in the Bangalore races. (1) Horses aged 3 years (2) Horses aged 4 to 6 years rated 50 and above under B.T.C. rules of racing.
A maximum of eight races will be held on a race day; minimum number of acceptors remains at six with respect to races to be run over a distance of 1800m and more and in respect for horses rated 75 and above; the maximum number of acceptors for ordinary races will continue to be 12, except on Classic race days, where the maximum number of runners will go up to 14.
78 jockeys including 12 jockeys claiming an allowance have been issue an ‘A’ license. About 100 jockeys are expected to be seen in action this season. 37 trainers have been granted an ‘A’ license and in addition many ‘B’ licensed trainers are expected to participate in the Graded and Classic races as usual. Jockeys will have to go through the mandatory breath analyzer on every race day.
About 640 betting terminals will be in operation for easy access to the punter inclusive of 100 off-course betting terminals.