Winter Meeting to kick off from Friday

 The Bangalore Winter Meeting is all set to kick off from Friday with a substantial increase in stake money as compared to the previous edition and a change in date for the premier event, the derby.

Speaking at a press conference here, Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) chairman AC Satish Chandra said there would be a 17 percent increase in stakes from the previous year with the total outlay of prize money being Rs 20.65 crore.

There will be a total of 28 race days that will feature a total of 240 races.
Close to 70 jockeys and 37 ‘A’ license trainers will be part of the season that will conclude on March 19.

The Bangalore Derby, sponsored by The Garuda Group this time, will be held on January 23 and not January 26, which is the traditional date, owing to its clash with the Asian Racing Conference in Mumbai.

A prize money of Rs 70 lakh will be on offer for the derby, with BTC receiving Rs 36 lakh from the sponsors and pumping in the remaining Rs 34 lakh themselves.

The performance-linked incentives with respect to Bengaluru-based horses will be Rs 30,000 while the runner-up will receive 15,000.

In an attempt to professionalise conduct of racing, the stipendiary stewards have been empowered to impose fines of upto Rs 25000 and/or to impose suspensions up to a maximum of four race days in respect of infringements under the Rules of Racing. 

The Meeting will include 14 special race days, beginning with the Rajyotsava Trophy (Grade III) that will take place on Friday.

Special race days: Nov 7: Rajyotsava Trophy (Grade III); Nov 21: Ashoka Chakra Cup; Nov 28: Bangalore 1000 Guineas (Grade II); Dec 5: Bangalore Turf Club Trophy (Grade III); Dec 12: Bangalore 2000 Guineas (Grade II); Jan 1: Chief Minister’s Trophy; Jan 2: Bangalore Oaks (Grade II) and New Year Cup (Grade III); Jan 16: Karnataka Racehorse Owners’ Association Million; Jan 23: Bangalore Derby (Grade I) and Bangalore Racecourse 153rd Year Commemoration Trophy; Jan 29: Sprinters Trial Stakes (Grade III); Feb 5: Stayers Trial Stakes; Feb 13: Bangalore Winter Million (Grade III); Feb 27: Governor’s Trophy; March 19: Bangalore Juvenile Million (Grade III).