INDIAN PHARAOH RULES IN THE GOLCONDA DERBY, GR.1

The win of Indian Pharaoh (Excellent Art-Running Flame) will be remember greatly by the connections, as it not only provided the Poonawalla Group with the first mile and a half, Group I Derby win for their stallion Excellent Art, dispelling the notion that his progeny have a problem staying the distance, but it also provided his trainer S Padmanabhan with his 100th Classic. And that is no mean achievement. For a trainer who travels his horses incessantly, wherever and whenever they have a chance to win, Indian Pharaoh has done his share of travelling having raced in Mysore, Hyderabad, Chennai and his base in Bangalore finishing third in the Mysore Derby, second in the Golconda 2000 Guineas and the South India Derby before winning this Group I race. He has now won two of his 10 starts with career earnings of ₹1,19,14,865.

The eleven runners took a level jump. With jockeys still searching for position 2f into the race it was Mark My Word who took the lead from Bradfield College, Big Brave next with Indian Pharaoh on the rails. Wave Rider and Golden Hind followed next with rest of the field in close touch. Around the 800m marker Bradfield College took over the lead with Egyptian Prince and Mystic Flame joining in, while David Allan was in cruise control on Indian Pharaoh a shadow behind them. Before they took the turn Indian Pharaoh was pushed to move into contention taking over the lead from Bradfield College. Following them was Mystic Flame giving his all, Ulysses and Rikki TikkiTavi flying on his outside. As Indian Pharaoh made his way onto the rails Bradfield College seemed to be squeezed in and had to shift his course, momentarily gaining ground on the leader. But that was not for long, as Indian Pharaoh kicked on to win by 1¾ length from Bradfield College, Rikki TikkiTavi flew to be a nose behind in third, with Ulysses filling the frame in fourth. An objection lodged by NeerajRawal, the rider of Bradfield College found no substance and was overruled.

This win has been immensely satisfying for owners MrByramJeejeebhoy, MrsSharmilaPadmanabhan and trainer S Padmanabhan, more so for the latter two, who not only enjoyed the thrill of winning, but of having bred the winner. Other Classic winning progeny of Running Flame areBorsalino, Sur La Tete and Desert God. The next generation in training is Desert Empire, will he live up to expectations?