<p>Bengaluru: “I have no enemies,” declared Subbaiah Ganapathy, dressed smartly in a vintage golf flat cap, his warm smile reflecting heartfelt gratitude.</p>.<p>“That’s why so many people came out today. I’m so happy, it makes me so happy,” he told <em>DH</em>.</p>.<p>Just minutes earlier, the Bangalore Turf Club had honoured the 75-year-old legendary trainer, paying tribute as he stepped away from horse racing after a remarkable 25-year career.</p>.<p>From owners and trainers to jockeys, breeders, stable hands and the rest of the entire racing community paused to cheer Ganapathy for his extraordinary legacy and lasting impact.</p>.<p>Legendary, the term announcer uttered while ending his tribute, sat comfortably on the septuagenarian given the list of achievements his CV boasts. </p>.<p>Ganapathy emerged as the champion trainer at the end of his debut season in 2001 with a whopping 44 wins to his credit. He would go on to bag the champion trainer title, in both the summer and winter events, for the following seven years. Ganapathy, in 2022, posted 44 winners in the Bangalore summer season which remains an untouched record thus far. </p>.<p>To add to this, Tamil Nadu-born Ganapathy, has 25 derby wins, four Indian Turf Invitation Cups, 18 victories in 1000 Guineas’, 16 wins in 2000 Guineas’, 12 Oaks, eight St Leger, nine Fillies Trail Stakes, six Colts Trial Stakes to his name. He was also the first Indian trainer to win the Dubai Racing Carnival. </p>.42 automated test tracks by year end in Karnataka, says state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy.<p>“I did not come to Bengaluru to become a trainer,” reminisced Ganapathy, who came to the city from Chettinad as a 17-year-old and first entered BTC in 1970. </p>.<p>“I was working in the company of Dr MAM Ramaswamy. One day I asked him why he goes to the race course regularly and he told me to go along with him. He then introduced me to AB David and asked him to teach me everything to become a trainer. That’s how this journey began.” </p>.<p>In his long career spanning a quarter century, which was also marred by health issues when he was forced to stay away from action for months, Ganapathy has amassed 945 titles. While the trophies propelled him to celebrity status, it was his friendly nature and the handling of fillies, colts and jockeys that earned him respect. </p>.<p>“I never shout. Even when my horses lost. Already the race is over, so what’s the point? It’s okay. We correct the mistakes and do better in the next race. That was my approach always. Maybe that’s why I share a good friendship with all the jockeys - Indian and the foreign ones,” he offered. </p>.<p>With both his sons, Karthik and Aravind, following in his footsteps of being trainers, Ganapathy says he will finally have the time to sit back and enjoy racing without worrying about the results. </p>.<p>His parting advice to young trainers, “First learn everything from others. Don’t fight with anybody. And concentrate on your horses. Automatically you will get results.” </p>
<p>Bengaluru: “I have no enemies,” declared Subbaiah Ganapathy, dressed smartly in a vintage golf flat cap, his warm smile reflecting heartfelt gratitude.</p>.<p>“That’s why so many people came out today. I’m so happy, it makes me so happy,” he told <em>DH</em>.</p>.<p>Just minutes earlier, the Bangalore Turf Club had honoured the 75-year-old legendary trainer, paying tribute as he stepped away from horse racing after a remarkable 25-year career.</p>.<p>From owners and trainers to jockeys, breeders, stable hands and the rest of the entire racing community paused to cheer Ganapathy for his extraordinary legacy and lasting impact.</p>.<p>Legendary, the term announcer uttered while ending his tribute, sat comfortably on the septuagenarian given the list of achievements his CV boasts. </p>.<p>Ganapathy emerged as the champion trainer at the end of his debut season in 2001 with a whopping 44 wins to his credit. He would go on to bag the champion trainer title, in both the summer and winter events, for the following seven years. Ganapathy, in 2022, posted 44 winners in the Bangalore summer season which remains an untouched record thus far. </p>.<p>To add to this, Tamil Nadu-born Ganapathy, has 25 derby wins, four Indian Turf Invitation Cups, 18 victories in 1000 Guineas’, 16 wins in 2000 Guineas’, 12 Oaks, eight St Leger, nine Fillies Trail Stakes, six Colts Trial Stakes to his name. He was also the first Indian trainer to win the Dubai Racing Carnival. </p>.42 automated test tracks by year end in Karnataka, says state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy.<p>“I did not come to Bengaluru to become a trainer,” reminisced Ganapathy, who came to the city from Chettinad as a 17-year-old and first entered BTC in 1970. </p>.<p>“I was working in the company of Dr MAM Ramaswamy. One day I asked him why he goes to the race course regularly and he told me to go along with him. He then introduced me to AB David and asked him to teach me everything to become a trainer. That’s how this journey began.” </p>.<p>In his long career spanning a quarter century, which was also marred by health issues when he was forced to stay away from action for months, Ganapathy has amassed 945 titles. While the trophies propelled him to celebrity status, it was his friendly nature and the handling of fillies, colts and jockeys that earned him respect. </p>.<p>“I never shout. Even when my horses lost. Already the race is over, so what’s the point? It’s okay. We correct the mistakes and do better in the next race. That was my approach always. Maybe that’s why I share a good friendship with all the jockeys - Indian and the foreign ones,” he offered. </p>.<p>With both his sons, Karthik and Aravind, following in his footsteps of being trainers, Ganapathy says he will finally have the time to sit back and enjoy racing without worrying about the results. </p>.<p>His parting advice to young trainers, “First learn everything from others. Don’t fight with anybody. And concentrate on your horses. Automatically you will get results.” </p>