The ‘Perfect Ten’ |
| There is no doubt about the fact that thoroughbred racing is a highly complex sport. Innumerable factors and different angles of vision make it like none other on this globe. To quote an old cliché: “The glorious uncertainty of the game makes it what is – the sport of kings”, although with the passage of time, it has become more the common man’s game than anything else. Betting shops at every nook and corner in the city of London see the congregation of some of the most multi-ethnic crowds that you are likely to see anywhere in the world. The sport cuts across all colours, cultures and social strata – it’s a great leveller. To pick ten of the best Indian thoroughbreds of all time in such a complex sport is no mean task. Moreover, as in soccer, thoroughbreds from different eras are extremely difficult to compare. Who’s superior, Eusebio or Cristiano Ronaldo, Booby Moore or Beckham, Garrincha or Ronaldinho – these are questions which will forever be debated by the aficionados of soccer. Similarly in racing, Sea Biscuit or Secretariat, Phar Lap or Carbine – the list is endless. India has seen a boom in stud farms over the past several decades and has produced some excellent specimens. To pick out ten best of all time will always be a subjective viewpoint. Hence, don’t read too much into the order they are placed in. What is more important is their superlative performance on the track. 1. Elusive Pimpernel 2. Squanderer 3. Royal Tern 4. Smart Chieftan 5. Own Opinion 6. Chaitanya Chakram 7. Track Lightning 8. Everynsky 9. Exhilaration 10. Cordon Bleu Some brilliant runners who didn’t quite make the list but are among the best that this country has produced are Manitou, Chaitanya Ratham, Divine Light, Astronomic, Astonish and several more (including Jacqueline and Becket). We shall deal with them too in due course. Right now, let’s roll out separately each of these champions career. |
| [News Around Archives] |
| |