Invitational Cup 2013 in Kolkata - Day 2 : triumph of Tintinnabulation

04/03/2013 - Evénements
Just like cricket, racing is a true passion imported to India by the british which still attracts a lot of racehorse lovers nowadays. 30 000 racegoers gather to Kolkata's racecourse, west Bengal, to take part of the second day of the invitational cup meeting, the final biggest event of the season where the best thoroughbreds of the country compete every year, early March, in four feature races ran from 1200m to 3000m. The Indian Turf Invitation Cup, indian Arc de Triomphe launched in 1963, closed the meeting on Sunday 3rd March 2013.

 

 Prior to the feature race, the Super Mile seems to be dedicated to number 5 Kohinoor Wish, who finished 3rd of the sprint...the day before, but who is more suited by the mile. Richard Hugues, famous british jockey, is against him aboard number 3, a horse funnily called Berlusconi. The third main competitor, the 8 Chase The Sun, travelled 2000kms in a truck from Bangalore, south India, where he is trained by the local Andre Fabre, but more smiley Padmanahban.

 

The Kolkata racecourse is located next to the Victoria Palace.



But nothing happened like everyone planned, and the outsider Artkouros makes the difference. The son of Diffident, a former french sprinter, was ridden by the anglo indian rider Christopher Alford. Arktouros offers his owner Deepak Khaitan, Chairman of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club, an amazing victory.
 

Artkouros wins the Super Mile cup

Deepak Khaitan is the chairman of the Turf Club and a delighted owner of Artkouros.



Finally, towards the end of the day, the highlight : the Indian Turf Invitation Cup, a Gr.1 race ran over 2400m offering 150 000euros to the winner. Under Jimmy Fortune, winner of the sprint the day before, Super Storm, number 10, Mumbai derby winner, is the great favorite. Number 5, An Acquired Taste, is against him, and looks for revenge. Also aged 4, classical age in India, the 12 Tintinnabulation is Hyderabad derby record holder winner.

 

Tintinnabulation wins the Indian Turf Invitational Cup, the Indian Arc de Triomphe.



It was a tough fight up to reaching half way home, just when Tintinnabulation takes the lead and wins easy. A glorious day to remember for Nirmal Singh who just created his farm, Hazarah Stud. The fashionable trendy politician in his fifties already upsets the old indian racing concepts where only traditionnaly rich owners breeders get to the top.
 

Nirmal Singh, a very successful breeder.



Tintinnabulation was imported to India when his dam was shuttled in foal to Inthikhab from England. Foals importations are forbidden in India, a country which protects its tradition, religion, way of life and thoughts. This is what makes India keeps its cultural force over the centuries, making it an unique place on the planet, and flourishes its myths.

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