The total purse of Rs 77 lakhs is an-all time high for this Grade 1
race, second only to the Derby prize money, with the winner scooping a
shade less than half a crore! Considering the entries closed as far back
as in October 2005, it is truly a co-operative effort of the breeders,
owners and sponsors that has made this colossal purse possible.
The PBM, instituted in 1990, and won by rank outsider Le Gris Cheval,
spawned the growth of millions all over the country. The brainchild of
Zavaray Poonawalla, the race also innovated with high decibel promotion
and the offer of a car to the public, was also a first. The event so
caught the imagination of the public, that attendance figures started
creeping up and was a close competitor for even the Indian Derby!
The PBM day has no equal when it comes to fun and frolic, fashion and
entertainment. This year the trademark Maruti has finally been upgraded
to a Skoda in the luxury segment, and Zavaray's daughter Delna, a
fashion designer in her own right, will prelude with a high quality
fashion segment with a bevy of pretty faces and hats. In fact, hats are
the theme of the ay, and for a few hours, Ascot is relived in Mahalaxmi!
And to attract the young and hip, a first time prize is being given only
for those in the 18 - 25 age bracket. A staggering voucher worth
Rs.50,000 to buy fashion creations at the Poonawalla's Escape store
awaits the winner of this rare offering.
The race is expected to attract a dozen horses, and the record of
fillies winning the event has been enviable with the likes of Forest
Fantasy, Indiscretion, Lei, Her Excellency, Six Speed, Winning Pretty
and Haunting Memories coming up trumps. This year race appears an open
contest with no prime favourite. With the world class Mick Kinane and
Ryan Moore flying down to don silks, racing will truly have an
international flavour.
The attendance and betting graphs are showing a healthy uptick, and the
Multi Million, with all its frills, should add one more feather in the
Club's "hat!"
