INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
Poonawalla Stud Farms remains deeply committed to ensuring that the Indian thoroughbred finds his way
onto race tracks in all the world's prominent racing nations. it is our endeavour to ensure that our homebred horses do us proud.
Mystical, India's champion creates another chapter in the history books of racing by winning not just one,
but both his starts back to back in the Dubai international racing carnival!
MYSTICAL Horse of the Year 2005-2006, creates another chapter in the history books of racing by becoming the first Indian horse to win in the
Dubai International Racing Carnival.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum with Zavaray Poonawalla.
H.R.H. Princess Haya in conversation with Zavaray and Simone on Mystical.
"For a horse to come and win in the International Carnival it is good. But for a horse to win two in a row is quite something. Remember this."
- His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
March 8, 2007
On the eve of our golden jubilee, Poonawalla Stud Farms blazed a new trail with India's first post-independence commercial export, ASTONISH. An Indian Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year 1991-1992,
Astonish's international debut was a rousing success with him storming his way to first place through a Class I field at Sha Tin, Hong Kong. Subsequently, Astonish created a track record for the metric mile on equitrack, coming from dead last to sizzle past his opponents in the straight. Astonish's victories merit additional credit in view of the fact that he was required to stay in America for six months prior to being permitted entry into Hong Kong, by which time he was six years old and past his prime.
ASTONISH, the first Indian horse to win on foreign soil, seen winning in Class I on his debut at Sha Tin, Hong Kong
Our very next export was ADLER, as Indian Turf Invitation Cup winner and Horse of the Year 1992-1993, who became the first Indian horse to win in the United States of America.
Poonawalla Stud Farms and council members of the National Horse Breeding Society of India have worked relentlessly to open the gates of other countries to the Indian thoroughbred and struck gold. Within a short period of three years, with just a handful of horses entering the MRA circuit, India created history by producing a Champion in Singapore in SADDLE UP (Champion Long Distance-Older Horse, Champion Middle Distance & Champion Older Horse), who participated in the World Series Hong Kong Cup,
Gr.1, finishing a very fast and creditable 3½ lengths behind the winner Agnes Digital.
ADLER - the first Indian thoroughbred to win in America, coming within a fraction of the track record for 1700 meters at Ellis Park, Kentucky, U.S.A.
The Poonawalla Stud Farm SIMPLY NOBLE was nominated for Champion Miler in Malaysia after winning the second jewel of the Malaysian Triple Crown, the Sultan of Selangor Gold Cup, Gr.1. Simply Noble was the second Indian horse to win a Malaysian Classic within a mere three years of the launch of the export campaign to Singapore and Malaysia.
SIMPLY NOBLE winning the second jewel of the Malaysian Triple Crown, the Piala Emas Sultan Selangor, Gr.1
IMPERIALISM bred at the Poonawalla Stud Farms became the first Indian-bred juvenile exported to win in Singapore in just his second start.
IMPERIALISM seen winning a Restricted Maiden (weight for age) race, 1200 meters, Singapore.
The dream to promote the Indian horse and further the name of the stud farm did not end here and India's champion & Horse of the Year 2005-'06, MYSTICAL, was the obvious choice to take this quest to the next level.
On his very first start, Mystical demolished the field at the Dubai International Carnival 2007. The reception he received from the crowd was sensational. It was a magical moment for Poonawalla Stud Farms and for India.
"Mystical burst up on the inside....150 metres left to go.... and here's a little page of history being written;
Mystical in front of Hallhoo and Yarqus.... and Mystical for India has won the money!”
- Terry Spargo, Commentator
MYSTICAL creates history by winning his debut at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, February 15, 2007.
In his second outing, a lot more was expected of him as he had stepped up in competition and class, but once again, Mystical did not let his supporters down.
“250 meters left to go, Mystical for India takes the lead, Diamond Quest is fighting, Ryan Moore is riding hard,
Mystical is responding, and its another history making win for Mystical. The Indian Champ has done it again!”
- Terry Spargo, Commentator
MYSTICAL establishes the Indian thoroughbred by winning his second race back to back at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, March 8, 2007.
Mystical had amazed people all over the world. He had made people sit up and had opened the eyes of the racing world to the Indian horse. Text messages, emails, phone calls, faxes, came from far and away – from England to Hong Kong, USA, South America to Australia. It was exhilarating and unbelievable. Mystical had put Indian racing on the world map!
Mrs. Behroze & Mr. Zavaray Poonawalla,
Trainer S. Ganapathy & Ms. Simone Poonawalla leading in
Mystical after his debut win.
Ms. Delna & Mr. Zavaray Poonawalla, Jockey Ryan More,
Mrs. Behroze & Ms. Simone Poonawalla leading in Mystical after his
second win.
Mystical has firmly established the Indian thoroughbred's mark on the international circuit, by being the first Indian bred and trained horse to win at the Dubai International Carnival.