ASLAM KADER – THE POCKET-SIZED DYNAMO WHO BECAME A LEGEND

 

ASLAM KADER – THE POCKET-SIZED DYNAMO WHO BECAME A LEGEND

The Indian racing fraternity is draped in sorrow with the passing of Aslam Kader, the man affectionately known as the Pocket-Sized Dynamo. The fearless and flamboyant rider, who captured the imagination of racing fans across the nation, breathed his last on Thursday afternoon, 9th October 2025, after a valiant battle with lung cancer. He was 63.

Born to ride and destined for greatness, Aslam began his remarkable journey in 1979, quickly rising through the ranks with his rare blend of skill, instinct, and courage. By 1984, he had become a household name — a jockey whose very presence in the saddle sent a thrill through the stands. For over two glorious decades, he ruled the turf with his unmatched artistry, his career eventually spanning more than 1,700 wins, including over 80 Classics — a record that cements his place among the immortals of Indian racing.

Kader’s hallmark was his power-packed finishes — he could conjure victory from the most impossible situations, often turning defeat into triumph with sheer grit and timing. His rivals feared him, his colleagues respected him, and the racing public adored him. There was no corner too tight, no field too crowded — if there was a gap, Aslam would find it and make it count.

His ride on Astonish in the Indian Derby, where he outsmarted none other than Willie Carson along the Mahalaxmi straight, remains one of the most cherished moments in Indian racing history — a display of courage and composure that still sends shivers down the spine of those who witnessed it.

He shared an unforgettable bond with the mighty Elusive Pimpernel, the pair achieving greatness together, capturing 14 Classics, including the Indian Derby (1995) and the Indian Turf Invitation Cup the same year. His other Derby triumphs came aboard Astonish (1992) and Astronomic (1993) — a magnificent hat-trick of Derby glories that few can ever dream of replicating.

 

Nicknamed “AK-47” — for his feather-light frame and explosive precision — Aslam was crowned Champion Jockey nine times in Bengaluru and thrice in Mumbai, a testament to his unmatched consistency and brilliance. His record of 77 winners in the 1993–94 Mumbai season still stands tall — unbroken, untouched, and perhaps unbeatable.

Some of his other memorable victories came aboard Classic Style, Executive Force, Academic, Astounding, Charon, Treasure Wind, Menorah, and Sir Bruce — each win a reflection of his mastery, timing, and trust between man and horse.

Aslam Kader was more than a jockey — he was an artist in motion, a warrior in white silks, and a symbol of passion, perseverance, and purity in the sport he loved. His name will forever echo through the grandstands, his rides replayed in the hearts of those who had the privilege to watch him in full flight.

Indian racing has lost a legend, but his spirit will never fade.

May the great Aslam Kader rest in peace — his courage, charisma, and legacy will live on every time the gates open and the thunder of hooves fills the air

MYSORE RACES ROCKED BY WELL-PLANNED FAVOURITES COLLAPSE

 

WELL-PLANNED FAVOURITES DEBACLE ROCKS MYSORE RACES

The 9th day of the Mysore Monsoon Season (Friday, 3rd October 2025) witnessed one of the most disgraceful and shameful episodes in recent racing history, when the two leading fancies in The Meerut Plate (Race No. 59) were both rendered helpless — not by racing merit, but by sheer manipulation.

The firm favourite LIVE THE DREAM and the second favourite CONNECTING DOTS — both strongly supported in the betting ring — were virtually robbed of their chances through highly suspicious saddle mishaps that conveniently occurred in tandem, ensuring that the public, who reposed their faith in the horses, were left high and dry.

• The saddle on CONNECTING DOTS shifted forward well before the final turn, climbing over the withers and leaving the rider in a precarious and unsafe position.

• In an even more shocking turn of events, the saddle of LIVE THE DREAM slipped back completely, leaving the jockey a mere passenger, unable to guide or ride the horse in any competitive manner.

That both the first and second favourites suffered crippling saddle malfunctions in the very same race is beyond the realm of coincidence. Instead, it reeks of orchestrated high-handedness and calculated design, engineered to sink the weight of public money invested on these two prime contenders.

While both horses still managed to finish second and third, the fact remains that neither was allowed to display its true ability — the jockeys rendered helpless by gross negligence (or worse, deliberate planning). Racing enthusiasts and punters, who keep the sport alive through their trust and participation, were brazenly betrayed.

The questions that Mysore Race Club cannot ignore are:

1. How did two favourites in the same race suffer saddle mishaps simultaneously?

2. Were the saddles checked and secured properly at the weighing scale and parade ring?

3. Why should punters and racing patrons suffer financial losses due to what appears to be premeditated malpractice?

4. Who benefits from ensuring favourites fail — if not those in control of the betting markets?

Horse racing is built on trust, and when such scandalous episodes are allowed to take place, confidence in the system collapses. The stewards and officials cannot hide behind routine excuses. This was not an accident — it was a systematic sabotage of favourites, an insult to the sport and a mockery of the punters’ faith.

If stringent action is not taken immediately against those responsible, then the Mysore races risk being reduced to nothing more than a gambling den where manipulation and deceit reign supreme.

The racing public deserves answers — not silence.