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October
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Champion Racehorses Laid To Rest
They
were the country’s most popular racehorses of the
late 80's, brave and charismatic champions who
created quite a stir amongst all who saw them. But
for Poonawalla Stud Farms, they were the genuine
stars, who kick-started a surge of success and
glory for the farm.
The passing away of ‘1988 Horse of the
Year’ CORDON BLUE, at the age of 24 last
month, and Unbeaten Champion and ‘Horse
of the Year 1989’ EXHILARATION at the
age of 23 last week, were emotional days for the
team at Poonawalla Stud Farms.
After more than 15 years of retirement at the
farm, at which they were regular and much-loved
mascots at any event or gathering at the stud
farm, both were put down peacefully and laid to
rest due to infirmities of old age.
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Cordon Blue (Horse of the
Year 1988) winning the
Gr.1 Indian Derby –
Giving Poonawalla Stud Farms
its first Indian Derby victory
– the first of the 5 Indian
Derbies won in succession by
the farm, taking the total to
eight.
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Cordon Blue (Horse of the Year
1988)
being taken for a lap of
honour by Mr. Zavaray
Poonawalla and Dr. Vijay
Mallya.
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CORDON BLUE (by Riyahi [IRE] out
of Deep Water Blues by Red Indian [GB]),
a tough and brave filly and one of only
four grey horses to win the Indian
Derby, owned by Dr. Vijay Mallya and
trained by Rashid Byramji, was ridden by
champion jockey Mick Kinane in the
country’s most prestigious race, giving
Poonawalla Stud Farms its first Indian
Derby victory, after which the farm won
the next 4 Indian Derbies in a row.
Much was expected out of this gallant
filly when she retired to the farm for
breeding, and she produced none other
than the great Continual – an unbeaten
champion of his own time.
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Exhilaration (Horse of the
Year 1989) romping home to
victory the very next year in
the Gr.1 Indian Derby.
He was unbeaten throughout his
racing career.
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Exhilaration (Unbeaten
Champion) being led in by
(L-R) Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla,
Mr. Solomon Sopher, Dr.
Ramaswamy and Mr. Zavaray
Poonawalla.
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EXHILARATION (Malvado[CAN] out of
Preparation [IRE] by On You Mark [USA]),
owned by Cyrus and Zavaray Poonawalla,
Dr. Ramaswamy and Mr. Solomon Sopher,
and trained by Imtiaz Sait, won all of
his 9 starts, including the Indian
Derby, the Indian 2000 Guineas and the
Indian Turf Invitation Cup.
It was not just his distinctive name
that saw him transcend the sport in
which he became a star, but the manner
in which he triumphed.
It was sheer misfortune that just as he
was to start in the last race of his
career, his jockey Pesi Shroff noticed a
loose shoe and he had to be withdrawn.
Exhilaration retired in glory, an
unconquered champion.
If Indian horses were allowed entry to
other racing countries at the time, this
was a horse that could have made a name
for the country, achievements that
champions Astonish, Adler, Saddle Up and
most recently Mystical have accomplished
since.
All racing enthusiasts can relate to the
courage, stamina and sheer fighting
spirit of these magnificent
thoroughbreds as they flew past their
opponents, cheered by thousands of
excited spectators.
"They were brave, tough, intelligent
and totally genuine. They left this
world with dignity and no fuss – the
same way they lived their lives. They
will be dearly missed.”
– Simone Poonawalla
As the legendary Tesio wrote:
“A Horse Gallops With His Heart
Perseveres With His Lungs
And Wins With His Character.”
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