Mumbai racing season 2011-12 to see highest prize money
Glitzy lights and a live band performance at the Royal Western India Turf Club on Thursday night were the welcoming sight of its commencement.
The glitzy lights and a live band performance at the Royal Western India Turf Club on Thursday night were the welcoming sight of a grand event — commencement of the Mumbai racing season 2011-12.
With the increased prize money, better infrastructural facilities and top-draw horses and jockeys, the season ahead looks promising.The chairman of RWITC, Vivek Jain said, “The advertised prize money of Rs15 crore is the highest for a single season of racing in India.”
Though, the club advertised a higher figure last year, of Rs16.5 crore but it also included a near Rs3 crore on the Turf Invitation Cup Weekend, which is not being held in Mumbai this year. So comparatively, the stakes are up by about 10 per cent.
Seven races are scheduled on this Sunday (November 13) and Bollywood starlet Bipasha Basu will be present on to hand over the trophy for Audelade Inaugural Million. A race has also been organised in memory of legendary singer Jagjit Singh, who was a RWITC member-owner for decades.
The committee has appointed Wayne Wood, racing administrator from Australia, to supervise its racing department. His main task will be to restore confidence of the public in the conduct of racing, investigation and maintaining the integrity of racing.