Madras Race Course Faces Closure

Madras Race Course Faces Closure: A Legacy at Risk in the Name of Green Development

By TURF TRACKER

The Madras Race Course, a landmark steeped in history and prestige, now finds itself staring down an uncertain future. The Tamil Nadu state government’s recent proposal to repurpose this iconic space into an eco-park has sparked deep concern among those whose lives, livelihoods, and legacies are entwined with the racecourse’s century-old traditions.

A Legacy Rooted in the City’s Soul

Established in 1837, the Madras Race Course is more than just a strip of turf—it’s a living chronicle of Chennai’s sporting and cultural heritage. It has been home to generations of jockeys, trainers, grooms, veterinarians, farriers, administrative staff, bookmakers, and stewards. For them, this is not merely a workplace—it is a vibrant ecosystem that sustains thousands of families.

This heritage is now under threat of extinction. The proposed conversion of the racecourse land into an eco-park—though commendable in its environmental ambition—raises serious questions about the government’s planning and empathy toward those most affected by this drastic shift.

The Cost of Green Without a Human Lens

No one disputes the importance of green spaces. In fact, Chennai could benefit from more ecological zones to combat urban heat and pollution. However, when such plans come at the cost of hundreds—if not thousands—of livelihoods, a balance must be struck.

Horses, for example, cannot be relocated like saplings. They require skilled caretakers, appropriate stabling, and consistent routines. Disrupting that ecosystem could result in irreversible harm to both animals and people.

Moreover, owners and racing professionals have invested decades—financially, emotionally, and professionally—into this sport. The sudden evaporation of their future with no transitional plan is more than an oversight; it borders on disregard.

What’s At Stake

- Livelihoods: From jockeys to stable hands, the racecourse is a micro-economy in itself.

- Animal Welfare: Horses trained and bred in this environment may not easily adapt to relocation or abandonment.

- Cultural Identity: The Madras Race Club is one of the oldest in India, a testament to Chennai's cosmopolitan past and sporting excellence.

- Urban Planning Precedents: Will other legacy institutions meet similar fates under the banner of ecological renewal?

Seeking Balance Over Erasure

Progress doesn’t need to be synonymous with demolition. There exists a profound opportunity here for the government and stakeholders to collaborate—to reinvent the racecourse into a hybrid model that preserves its sporting legacy while integrating sustainability. A thoughtfully designed compromise, such as partial green redevelopment around preserved racing infrastructure, could achieve both goals.

Conclusion

The transformation of Chennai must include—not exclude—the people and traditions that define it. Let us not trample a legacy in pursuit of greenery, but rather cultivate both. In saving the Madras Race Course, we safeguard not just history, but humanity.

SAVING INDIAN RACING FROM COLLAPSE: A WAKE-UP CALL FROM HYDERABAD

 

SAVING INDIAN RACING FROM COLLAPSE: A WAKE-UP CALL FROM HYDERABAD

Once revered as the Sport of Kings and a vibrant weekend institution, horse racing in India is now at a crossroads. What was once a celebrated blend of athletic excellence and regulated betting has been pushed to the brink — crippled by punitive taxation and overshadowed by a sprawling, unregulated underground betting economy.

At the heart of this crisis lies the Hyderabad Race Club, a microcosm of the national trend. In just seven years, official totalisator collections have plunged from ₹1,217 crore in 2016–17 to a dismal ₹141 crore in 2024–25 — a staggering 90% decline. And this freefall is not due to waning public interest. Quite the contrary — racegoers still throng to the tracks. What has changed is where and how they place their bets.

The root of this collapse is the 28% GST levied not just on winnings, but on every rupee wagered. This has made legal betting untenable for most punters, driving them toward illegal betting networks where no such burden exists. Consequently, the money has not vanished — it has merely shifted lanes.

Industry estimates now peg Hyderabad’s illegal betting circuit at over ₹2,000 crore annually, with Bangalore’s underground economy believed to be at least 2.5 times higher. The numbers are staggering — and so is the consequence: huge revenue losses for both race clubs and government exchequers, compounded by a lack of oversight, accountability, and consumer protection.

"No punter has stopped betting," says V. Narender Reddy of the Telangana Race Horse Owners Association. "Thousands still show up every race day. But the money is going elsewhere — into a flourishing illegal market that has grown from nothing to thousands of crores in under a decade."

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How Does Illegal Betting Work?

Punters, now priced out of legal pools, are placing bets through closed groups on WhatsApp, phone calls, or via unauthorised third-party apps. Settlements are often done in cash or via informal credit systems. These betting syndicates operate without licensing, regulatory checks, or taxation — creating a parallel economy that is not only illegal but increasingly difficult to dismantle.

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The Way Forward: From Collapse to Correction

If this continues unchecked, India’s regulated racing framework will crumble completely — with irreversible consequences for livelihoods, breeding farms, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, and thousands dependent on the sport.

A multi-pronged, high-level intervention is urgently needed.

1. Rationalisation of GST

• The 28% GST on every rupee staked is a death sentence to legal wagering.
• A feasible alternative: tax only on net winnings, as is the global norm (e.g., UK, Australia, Hong Kong).
• A lowered GST slab (between 5–12%) can redirect punters back to official channels, increasing transparency and government revenue.

2. Recognition of Horse Racing as a Distinct Economic Sector

• The sport is not merely entertainment; it is an ecosystem involving agriculture (breeding), rural employment, sports, tourism, and taxation.
• Racing must be treated as a regulated skill-based industry, not lumped indiscriminately with games of chance.

3. Tech Integration for Transparency

• Implement real-time online betting platforms with government-regulated digital wallets.
• Introduce licensed digital intermediaries (as done in Australia or UK Tote systems) to draw users back from illegal operators.

4. Strict Action Against Illegal Syndicates

• Coordination between cybercrime units, state police, and GST departments to crack down on digital betting rackets.
• Encourage whistleblowing and offer incentives for reporting illegal betting chains.

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Conclusion: We Must Act Now

Hyderabad is not an isolated case — it is a red flag for the entire Indian racing industry. The combination of regulatory overreach and policy blind spots has turned a legal, tax-paying sport into a shadow of its former self.

If we are to preserve the legacy of Indian horse racing and secure its future, urgent tax reforms and regulatory rethinking are not just advisable — they are absolutely essential. The alternative is a silent collapse, with the state losing revenue, thousands losing livelihoods, and the public pushed further into the underworld of illegal betting.

Let Hyderabad be the alarm bell that finally shakes the system out of its slumber.

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PUNTERS DRUBBED, SCRIPTED RACING TO THE FORE

— by Mahindar Singh Rathore | Turf Tracker

The Bangalore Summer Season: A Pale Imitation of Its Glorious Past

The Bangalore Summer Season, once a proud stage for thrilling finishes and high-stakes competition, has slipped into a dull routine. The energy is gone, replaced by flat, scripted racing that has punters grumbling and racing fans longing for yesteryears.

Gone are the titanic battles down the final furlong. In their place, we have monotonous gallops where winners coast home unchallenged, and the betting ring tells stories that defy both form and logic.

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FORM IS FICTION, LOGIC IS LOST

In race after race, modest horses attract massive support, while proven contenders drift aimlessly in the market. The punter, once able to navigate the card with a sharp eye and instincts, now feels adrift—caught in a game where the script seems pre-written.

The ‘favourite-following’ formula has collapsed. Betting boards are more confusing than informative. Stewards, meanwhile, seem more like mute spectators in a theatre of the absurd—while professionals keep minting money with little accountability.

Margins of victory have stretched, not due to superior horses, but due to lack of opposition. This not only kills competition but dangerously inflates handicap ratings, turning the entire structure on its head.

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STARS, FLOPS & FIXES

• Eagle Day, from the Pesi Shroff yard, impressed over the mile and looks set to wun again
• Charismatic, trained by Prasanna Kumar, won but didn’t quite sparkle; his stablemate Money Bags, overhyped and undercooked, flopped badly.
• The most glaring absurdity: Shamrock’s rating nosedive. From 120 post a Super Mile Group 1 win in Chennai to a baffling 106 in Bangalore—this defies any credible logic. Previously rated 115 in January without winning, Shamrock is now penalized for winning? Only in this farce of a ratings system.

Yet, Shamrock silenced both the cynics and the handicapper, winning the H.H. Krishnaraja Wadiyar Cup emphatically. Favourite Prana, as usual, disappointed, while Supernatural ran an eye-catching third—suggesting longer trips will suit. Veteran Ramiel proved he’s not past his peak and should be watched over extended distances.

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SPRINT DIVISION SHAKES UP

• Petaluma, from Leo D’Silva’s stables, turned heads with a five-length demolition. Her time blew the other division away.
• Refined Aggression had a horror run—troubled midrace and nearly unseated his rider. Yet the ring stubbornly backed Midnight Blue, which ended in a painful payout.

The Speaker’s Cup looked balanced, but Pluto took all suspense out of it with a dominant front-running display. Apprentice Ramaswarup on Del Aviz had a race to forget—boxed in, then wide out—throwing away his chances.

Emphatic, from the Padmanabhan stable, narrowly held off Victor Hugo, who almost pulled off a fairy tale after a 249-day layoff. Sandesh's poise proved decisive.

As for Irfan Ghatala’s string—predicting their performance is a celestial guessing game. Betting on them is a bigger gamble than roulette.

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NEW NAMES TO NOTE

• Elysium, the Attaollahi-trained maiden, delivered a stunner—her seven-furlong timing was a full two seconds faster than the other division. A star in the making.
• The finale provided rare joy—Champions Way, under Suraj Narredu, snapped a 496-day drought. A tight finish added much-needed adrenaline to a dull card. Had Ramaswarup not gifted the rail run, the result might've changed.

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THE BOTTOM LINE: FLAT, FIXED & FORGETTABLE

Yes, the favourites have technically delivered—but with no true sense of competition, drama or suspense, the season so far feels lifeless. The handicapper’s inconsistencies, unexplained betting swings, and lack of accountability in the riding and officiating ranks have left punters bruised and bored.

If the upcoming classics don’t jolt this season out of its coma, the Bangalore Summer of 2025 will go down as one of the most uninspiring in memory.

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🖊️ © Mahindar Singh Rathore | Turf Tracker | 

For exclusive Indian horse racing insights, visit:www.INHorseracing.com

"THE LEAGUE OF SHAME" - THE ROT BENEATH THE TURF

 “The League of Shame” – The Rot Beneath the Turf

A Voice for the Voiceless in Indian Racing

In the glitzy grandstands of Indian racing, where champagne toasts meet roaring crowds and betting terminals light up like slot machines, a darker tale unfolds far from the public eye — one of neglect, greed, and systemic cruelty. This is the story of the HPS League, a sordid subchapter of the sport that has long since abandoned its soul for the promise of profit.

Behind the carefully curated façade of sport, tradition, and spectacle, the very heart of racing — the horse — suffers in silence. Once-proud thoroughbreds, who danced effortlessly across turf and sand, are reduced to shadows of themselves. When the money dries up or the legs give way, there is no refuge. These noble animals, who gave their all for glory and gain, are discarded like worn-out betting slips.

The Hyderabad Race Club, among others, stands accused not just of indifference, but of complicity. Under their watch, a so-called "league" — a banner raised under the pretext of sport — has degenerated into a money-laundering masquerade. No official status. No regulatory oversight. No accountability. Just a playground for powerbrokers and backroom bookies where the horses are pawns in a twisted game of greed.

Illegal betting networks flourish behind closed doors, masked in respectability, with whispers of insider manipulation and shadow ownership. Yet the Turf Authorities of India remain deafeningly silent. Their marble offices and fine suits seem to insulate them from the cries echoing from abandoned stables and barren paddocks.

Handlers walk away unpaid. Stables fall into disrepair. Champions are left to die, forgotten and malnourished. Horses that once fetched lakhs in the auction ring now lie starving, unable to comprehend how quickly their worth evaporated. And while this cruelty festers, those in charge toast to “successful seasons” and “record entries,” conveniently turning their faces from the stench of neglect.

The hypocrisy is staggering. Publicly, there is talk of ethics, of care, of preserving heritage. Privately, backdoor deals and hush money ensure the truth remains buried. The suffering is invisible — and that’s exactly how they want it.

The shame doesn’t just belong to those who run these rogue leagues or to the patrons who profit from them. It belongs equally to the silent. To the stewards who look the other way. To the journalists who dare not speak. To the sponsors who plaster their logos across suffering, pretending it’s prestige.

For every rupee exchanged in this grim enterprise, a horse somewhere pays the price — with its health, its dignity, sometimes its life.

This isn’t sport. It’s betrayal.

And to remain silent in the face of it is not neutrality. It is complicity.

It’s time we call it what it truly is: The League of Shame.

Let the industry know — you cannot dress up cruelty in tradition and call it sport. Not anymore.