Blue Ribbon (McCullagh up) winning
the Dheeraj Arma Indian Oaks (Gr.1) from Guest Connections (B.Prakash up)

BLUE RIBBON GIVES SHROFF FIRST INDIAN CLASSIC
By Our Correspondent

Jan 21, 2007

The Pesi Shroff trained Blue Ribbon (Alnasr Alwasheek-Endorsement) gave the former champion jockey his first Indian classic victory as a trainer when she won the 2400-metre Dheeraj Arma Indian Oaks (Gr.1) at the Mahalakshmi racecourse today.

Dreaming took the lead from the start with Royal Princess and the Hyderabad Oaks winner Rain Splasher in close touch.
 

Blue Ribbon (McCullagh up) winner of the Dheeraj Arma Indian Oaks (Gr.1) being led in by owners Mr.Gobind Jhangiani, Mr.Sunil Jhangiani, Mrs.Padmini Jhangiani & trainer Mr.Shroff

Niall McCullagh had Blue Ribbon well settled in fourth about four or five lengths behind the front trio. Guest Connections and Real Excellence followed Blue Ribbon with the rest bunched up behind these horses.

 Prakash made a similar move on Guest Connections and both these fillies were poised fro the challenge as they straightened up for the long run in. Rain Splasher gave up the lead under pressure from Royal Princess and Prakash made his move on the new leader.

Rain Splasher found herself in front as Dreaming weakened passing the 1000-metre mark and McCullagh began to move Blue Ribbon up into striking range of the lead.

McCullagh got Blue Ribbon to respond almost instantaneously and she burst through between Royal Princess and Guest Connections to head the proceedings. With Niall driving her out with everything at this disposal there was nothing that Prakash and Guest Connections could do to bridge the gap it remained that way at the winning post. Bravissima, also trained by Pesi, came from way off the pace to take third place with Royal Princess staying on to be fourth.

Blue Ribbon, winner of
the Dheeraj Arma Indan Oaks (Gr.1)
being paraded by trainer Mr.Shroff &
owner Mr.Sunil Jhangiani

Mrs.Padmini Jhangiani, Mr.Sunil Jhangiani &
Mr.Gobing Jhangiani receiving the
Dheeraj Arma Indian Oaks Trophy
from Mr.Mohan Thakur
 

Blue Ribbon, whose last win over 1800-metres set her up as a serious Oaks candidate, proved that she was equal to the task of competing at the highest level and she could well be given a chance to take on the boys in the Indian Derby in a fortnight's time.

Pesi Shroff has held a trainer's licence for less than two years and he has already made a mark in his new profession. This maiden classic success is just the beginning of what promises to be many more.