It’s quite rare for someone to taste victory over two consecutive years at the Indian Derby. It’s against the odds, and that adds to the intrigue in the city’s biggest horse racing event.
However, that’s exactly what jockey David Allan did on Sunday, winning his second straight derby. But unlike in 2016 when he rode Desert God to glory, it was Hall Of Famer, who delivered the goods for Allan at the 75th edition of the Indian Derby at the Mahalaxmi Race Course here on Sunday.
It was also Hall Of Famer’s trainer S Padmanabhan’s – who is the horse’s co-owner as well – second consecutive victory at the derby.
The 2,400-metre race was supposed to start with 14 horses, but Mathaiyus withdrew just before the race. Lucas, ridden by Colm O’ Donoghue, took the lead initially, followed by Silver Beauty.
But once Hall Of Famer surged ahead after approximately 20 seconds into the race, she never looked back. Hall Of Famer continued her momentum and broke away from the rest of the pack. Salazaar, ridden by P Trevor, tried to cut the lead but failed in the attempt.
Serjeant At Arms, trained by SS Attaollahi, finished second followed by Temerity, trained by P Shroff, coming third in front of thousands of cheering spectators.
Hall Of Famer was the bookies’ second favourite to win the race, and there weren’t any twists and turns throughout the race as no rank outsider finished in the top three.
Allan said despite a slowish start, he was happy that he could finish the race ahead of others.
“I am quite relieved. The race did not go to plan at the start but everything went to plan at the finish, so it’s a very good feeling. It’s not an easy track to be in front most of the way but she (Hall Of Famer) did a pretty good job,” Allan told DNA after the race.
The Englishman said he always had the confidence in Hall Of Famer. “I don’t get nervous. I wouldn’t say I was 100 per cent confident but just the way the race happened, I knew that she (Hall Of Famer) stays the distance well,” Allan said.
Sharmila Padmanabhan, wife of trainer Padmanabhan, couldn’t hide her emotions. “Exhilarated. Winning two derbys in two years is usually quite rare. So I’m feeling very, very excited,” she said.
Despite being in the lead for most of the race, Sharmila still wasn’t confident. “Honestly, I was a bit worried because he (Allan) was not supposed to take the lead because there was a problem with other two horses. He had no choice but had to take out the running. There was an advantage to the fact that she (Hall Of Famer) was a staying horse, so she was never going to stop. To go from start to finish in a mile-and-a-half is very difficult,” she said.
