In the past, almost all the two-year olds used to be sold in these parade rings but it has now become customary for most race horse owners to visit
breeding establishments late in the Monsoons and pick up the choice yearlings’ off-the farm. Despite the fact that the cream of every crop is scooped up in this fashion, the R.W.I.T.C. Ltd. Sale remains the annual draw where owners of more modest means replenish their strings.
There are five turf authorities in India and all of them had their auction sales in the past but these affairs proved to be flops as they did not meet with approval either from vendors or from buyers because of logistic reasons. As such, the one by RWITC is the only sale of its kind where more than 350 horses are up for grabs. There has been a big demand for horses this year but the supply is inadequate.
The first R.W.I.T.C., Ltd. Sale was conducted way back in 1940 at Mumbai. Ironically, the size of the annual foal crop has dipped appreciably since 1997 and the Catalogue for the sale featured only 500-odd horses. Though the best horses are supposed to have been picked up at the stud farm itself, Classic winners have been spotted by the discerning buyers even at the sale.
