As a tribute to Zurbaran, Champion Racehorse of 2002-03, who died last week, Indiarace.com reproduces an extract from Maj. S. Nargolkar's book. "A Legacy of Champions". Also given below is Zurbaran's race record and his principal performances of his short career.


"… the actual running of the Indian Derby was a bit of an anti-climax. Noble Eagle under P. Belose hit the front, was never headed and stunned one and all at the odds of 50 to 1. Aslam Kader on Zurbaran was second as they rounded the Hornby Vellard corner, and that's where he remained till the end. First the jockey expected the front-runner to come back to him. Then, by the time he realized that he was kicking on, he lost valuable space and time.

Zurbaran , winner of the Indian Turf Invitation Cup - 2003 being led in by owners, Trainer S Padmanabhan and Jockey Martin Dwyer. Byram Jeejeebhoy is third from left while Mr & Mrs K N Dhunjibhoy are to the right of the picture. Mrs Sharmila Padmanabhan is extreme left while Mr Narielwalla is to the extreme right.
 

Padmanabhan was convinced that with a jockey adept at riding from the front, he would extract due retribution in the Invitation Cup. He summoned Martin Dwyer, who had earlier ridden Running Flame for him. An extra piece of work at Malakpet enabled the jockey and the colt to get better acquainted, and had Zurbaran at his best racing weight.. Classical Act, despite a poor display in the Indian Derby, and Fabulous Star, without a winin the current term, were the joint favourites at 4 to 1, with Zurbaran at 7s. As expected, Noble Eagle went to the front. Also, as Padmanabhan fully expected him to, Dwyer kept Zurbaran on the heels of the pacemaker, never permitting him the luxury of a breather or too long a lead. Coming into the straight, Dwyer made his move and shot Zurbaran ahead. In the blink of an eye, he had snatched a most useful break, which came in handy to quell the challenge of Fabulous Star. Like his paternal half brother Superior Force, Fabulous Star had stamina and was a good galloper. What they boyth lced however was a turn of foot. The track was fast and Zurbaran established a new national mark for the Classic distance…"

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