JOIN USThe prestigious Kingfisher Summer Derby Bangalore, into its 25th year, will be run at the Bangalore Turf Club on Sunday.
With a total stake of Rs Rs 2.14 crore and a winner’s purse of 1,28,40,000, the Derby will be the second richest race in Indian calender, second only to the Indian Derby. The winner will also get a trophy worth Rs two lakh while the runner up will be richer by Rs 42,80,000.
But the total stake this year is slightly less than what it was in the last edition (Rs 2.32 crore) which was won by Pronto Pronto, ridden by Srinath and trained by Imtiaz Sait. Pronto Pronto met with a tragic end during the Golden Jubilee Invitation Cup in May.
The Kingfisher Derby has been one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar since its start in 1988 with people coming in from all parts of the country to witness the top class event. “It’s been a great pleasure to be associated with Kingfisher Derby, which is in its 25th year. In 1988 the stake money was only Rs 5 lakh while the winner got Rs 3 lakh. In 2011, the Derby became the richest race in the country. We are extremely thankful to the UB Group for popularising the sport not only in Bangalore but in other places also,” said BTC Chairman Dr KM Srinivasa Gowda, during the starting stall draw on Friday.
The honour of picking the draw of the 13-horse race went to Bollywood actress Nargis Fakhri. “I don’t know about horse racing but I am getting a chance to know more about it. It’s exciting to see people during the Derby and more exciting to watch the horses,” said Nargis, who tipped Super Storm to win the Derby which she also picked last during the draw.