BANGALORE TURF CLUB: STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

 

BANGALORE TURF CLUB: STRUGGLING FOR SURVIVAL IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) is grappling with a dire struggle for survival under the current administration led by the Chief Minister of Karnataka. The club faces a bleak future, largely due to what many see as an illogical and obstructive government stance.

 

The denial of a racing licence by the state government has cast a shadow over BTC's future, leaving the club in a state of uncertainty. The present managing committee and chairman appear unable to steer the club out of these turbulent times.

 

In court, BTC's legal team, arguing their writ petition, failed to present strong, valid points, leading to little progress toward reinstating the licence. This legal setback further exacerbates the club's already precarious situation.

 

The ramifications extend beyond administrative hurdles. Over 600 thoroughbred horses at BTC face an uncertain future. The cost of maintaining each horse is Rs. 1500 per day, totaling Rs. 9 lakhs daily and a staggering Rs. 270 lakhs monthly. These pure athletes, bred and trained for racing, have been inactive for over three months, making them prone to severe health issues.

 

Thoroughbreds, naturally active and constantly on the move, suffer greatly from prolonged confinement. Without regular racing, they are susceptible to colic and laminitis. Colic, often resulting from lack of exercise and prolonged indoor confinement, poses a significant health risk. Laminitis, caused by obesity due to insufficient exercise, is a serious condition that damages the hooves. Regular exercise is crucial for strengthening their bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, preventing injuries that are otherwise inevitable.

 

The broader impact on the horse racing industry is catastrophic. Stakeholders invest heavily in thoroughbred racehorses, purchasing them at auction sales for lakhs of rupees. Participation in richly endowed races also incurs significant costs. The stud farms, where yearlings are born and nurtured, face massive financial losses, potentially running into crores, if racing activity remains halted.

 

The survival of the entire horse racing industry hangs in the balance. Over twenty thousand individuals, many of whom have been part of this sport for generations, face an uncertain and stark future. The urgency for intervention and restoration of the racing licence cannot be overstated. Without swift resolution, the historic institution of BTC and its many stakeholders may face irreversible damage.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ADAMANT CHIEF MINISTER BRINGS HORSE RACING TO THE BRINK OF DISASTER

  ADAMANT CHIEF MINISTER BRINGS HORSE RACING TO THE BRINK OF DISASTER The future of 20,000 individuals tied to the Bangalore Turf Club hangs in the balance as the government of Karnataka considers withholding the club's licence to conduct horse racing at the iconic Bangalore Race Course. This decision threatens to plunge the entire community into turmoil.   At the heart of this crisis are 640 horses, each a valuable asset, and the livelihoods of 2000 stable staff, 1000 club employees, 30 trainers, and 60 jockeys and thousands in their families. These people, whose lives and futures are entwined with the tradition of horse racing, face an uncertain and dire situation. For generations, they have depended on this industry, and the abrupt halt of activities would leave them scrambling for alternative means of survival.   The Chief Minister of Karnataka must recognize the profound impact of this decision. If he can justify pausing the operations of this premier Indian horse ra
Read more

OOTY RACES 2024 - FORM GOES AWRY – UNCHECKED INCONSISTENCIES

  FORM GOES AWRY – UNCHECKED INCONSISTENCIES IN OOTY RACES 2024   It's deeply frustrating when horses seem to defy all logic, leaving followers of form and patrons—the lifeblood of horse racing—confounded.   At the races held in Ooty on Sunday, 5th May 2024, several inexplicable performances left spectators bewildered.   In the first race, 'WILBUR', who finished a distant 13 1/4 lengths behind the winner barely a week ago, suddenly surged to victory at lucrative odds, despite lacking any recent form to justify such a dramatic improvement. The question remains: how can a horse exhibit such a remarkable transformation within a mere week?   Moving on to the second race, THE STORM CAT HANDICAP (20-45) over 1400 meters, a bay mare named WONDERFUL ERA, hailing from the stables of N. Rupa, finished second by a mere half-length behind the winner. This same mare had finished a staggering 22 3/4 lengths behind the leader just a week prior on 27th April 2024, and a cou
Read more