The stage is set for the 28-day Hyderabad monsoon races scheduled to commence at the Malakpet race course here from tomorrow.
The season was originally slated to begin from July 18 but the first day's programme was cancelled as the monsoon track was not fit for racing due to delay in the onset of southwest monsoon. However, the race track now is lush green thanks to the recent rains and showers.
A total stake money of Rs 9.92 crores (Rs 8.28 crores as stake money for race horse owners and Rs 1.64 crores as professional fees for trainers and jockeys), besides trophies worth Rs 30.75 lakhs are on offer during the season as against Rs 9.45 crores as stakes and Rs 30.75 lakhs towards trophies offered during the last season.
Besides, the race horse owners will also be getting performance incentives, special incentives apart from other subsidies, Hyderabad race club (HRC) chairman R Surender Reddy said addressing the season-eve press conference last night.
He said during the monsoon racing season last year though the advertised stake money was Rs 9.45 crores, the total actual stakes and professional fee paid was Rs 12.18 crores, mainly because of division of races due to more number of horses in a race.
The stakes-horse ratio (Rs 2.58 lakhs per horse) offered at HRC was the highest in the country, Reddy claimed.
More than 730 horses including 201 two-year olds were ready in station. Of them about 560 horses would be participating during the monsoon season.
Reddy said 21 "A" licensed trainers at HRC would be racing their wards during the season. Around 55 jockeys including 19 "B" licensed jockeys and 16 apprentice jockeys will be seen in action. Besides, leading outstation trainers and jockeys will also participate in the classic and graded races during the season.
