This is a series of seven stallions that dominated the eighties and nineties.Their progeny was dreaded by all their rivals and they dominated the classics in the country during those two decades.

They were Grey Gaston, Malvado, Riyhai, Everyday II, Common Land, Sovereign Silver and Ilheus.

Today, we look at Malvado (who stood at the Poona Stud Farm), his history and the feats of some of his progeny in the country.

Malvado was sired by the world famous Nearctic out of Victory Chant.  Nearctic won 21 races in Canada and was the horse of the year in 1958. He is also the sire of the prolific Northern Dancer.

The most successful colt that Malvado produced in India was Exhilaration who holds an enviable, blemishless record of nine wins from nine starts including the most coveted double — the Indian Derby and The Indian Turf Invitation Cup.

To drive home the point that he was a supreme stallion, Malvado produced another great colt who too annexed the prized double. That was none other than Desert Warrior who notched up seven wins in his career.

The other successful progeny of this wonder stallion were Minsitrella (eight wins including the Kingfisher Derby), Scintillating (eight wins including the President of India Gold Cup), Solitaire (12 wins including Golconda Derby) and Vibrant (11 wins).

To highlight his versatility, Malvado went on to produce a crack sprinter in the form of Recardo who picked up the Sprinters Cup.

Malvado was the champion sire in '83-'84, '88-'89 and '89-'90.

The eighties was also the golden era of  wizards such as Rashid Byramji, Aris David and Imtiaz Sait and the trio capitalised on the unmatched brilliance of a prolific sire called Malvado.