There is no sense of history in race goers in India. The authorities too haven't helped matters, as there has been no systematic effort to chronicle the history of racing in India. Whatever information is available is through the memory of those who have been witness to events over a period of time. Human memory is not always reliable as it tends to fade with the passage of time and fiction often replaces facts. As Maj S Nargolkar, who has taken pains to compile a Statistical Review of Indian Classics from 1942 to 2002 puts it in the forward to the book published by the Stud Book Authority of India: "Human memory has its limitations. Especially with regard to sporting events and related facts. It is almost sixty years since Princess Beautiful won the very first Indian Derby way back in January 1943. With the passage of time, it is difficult to recall who won the first Indian Derby after independence, or, who was astride Kimsel when he won the Indian St Leger, or which trainer - A L J Talib? R R Byramji? - saddled more winners in Indian Oaks." With the publication of the book, the much-needed thrust to chronicling racing has been given. Hopefully there will be more such efforts in future , statistical of course, because with Indian racing history being too recent, it is bound to ruffle a few feathers. An objective assessment becomes a difficult proposition.
Bangalore Turf Club, during its Platinum Jubilee Celebrations, made an attempt to recreate the history of racing at Bangalore. Other Turf Clubs have brought out commemorative souvenirs but they do not give a proper perspective of Indian racing.
Indian Classics enjoy a distinct place in Indian racing. Though other turf clubs might find it irritating to treat these classics as the events of Indian racing, the fact remains that they have an all-India flavor, with the best available talent in the country participating in these classics. Indian Derby, the Bangalore Summer Derby and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup are the three star events of Indian racing and they all deserve a similar treatment. It is for the authorities to ponder how best to promote the sport by publishing books on the various facets of Indian racing. The sport has suffered a great deal in the absence of any meaningful literature on the sport. Unfortunately, too much emphasis has been given to promoting the sport only from the point of view of betting. Fortunately, the Stud Book Authority of lndia has been doing a yeoman service to racing in India.
The book is priced at Rs 200 and it is a must for the academically inclined. The book can be obtained through -
The Registrar,
Indian Stud Book,
6, Arjun Marg,
Pune 411001.
Telephone: 91-20-6361871.
E-mail: indianstudbook@vsnl.net