GREAT RACING, BRAZILIAN CUISINE & FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM FIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS SETS THE MOOD FOR A GREAT PUNE DERBY 2019

The much awaited Grade-I Pune Derby is scheduled to run on the October 13, 2019 with a sizeable number of runners expected to compete in an open yet competitive race. This will be the 36th running of the Pune Derby, the inaugural race being run at the Pune race course in the year 1984 and was won by the Poonawalla Stud Farm bred Prudential Champ by Malvado out of Taletta, trained by Uttam Singh and owned by the present Chairman Mr. Z. S. Poonawalla, Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla, Mr. Solomon Sopher and Dr. Vijay Mallya.

To add further fun and frolic to the day, Brazilian Food Company, Boteco will dish out Brazilian Cuisine under a German theme in line with the customary Oktoberfest celebrations. A retro band in attendance is expected to set the mood for the day continuing well after the sun has set. The food and beverage counter will open at 12 noon and continue until 11pm.

In the absence of the long-time sponsor for the Pune Derby and none willing to take it up this year, the Club realized that this would lead to yet another crunch of 15lac rupees which it needs to contribute to guarantee the Derby stakes of 40lac rupees, as the Sweepstakes collected is only 25lac rupees. It was discussed during the last Committee Meeting if any member would like to take up the sponsorship but with no positive response it was left for Mr. Poonawalla to decide what is to be done. In view of the shortfall that the Club would have if they were to run the Derby without a sponsor, Mr. Poonawalla, Ms. Zinia Lawyer, Mr. Geoffrey Nagpal, Mr. Surendra Sanas and Mr. Milan Luthria collectively decided not to individually sponsor the race but contribute in equal proportion the shortfall of 15lac rupees so as to relieve the Club of that much financial burden. Mr. Zavaray S. Poonawalla, Chairman of the Club said “We have pledged to support the Club with all our might, time, energy and money and this was one occasion where we felt it imperative to chip-in a little towards our commitment to our cash crunched Club” Way to go! Mr. Poonawalla has personally checked the race track and he is of the opinion that it is in very good condition.

With just a week to go, set the date down and come enjoy great racing, good food and a happy and fun day in the sun.