More than 650 horses, including about 200 two-year-olds, will take part in the 32-day Madras racing season to held between October 20 and March 15, 2018.
Briefing the press on Tuesday, Md. Javeed Ghatala, Steward of the Madras Race Club, said the total stakes money on offer ₹12,35,80,000 for 198 races. Eighty cup races have been framed with the total value of the cup and trophies to be presented being ₹23,15,000.
Twenty three ‘A’ licence and 18 ‘B’ licence trainers along with 26 ‘A’ licence and 23 ‘B’ licence jockeys will participate. Craig Marshall and Maharaja Raju who have trained at the Macau Club and in Sri Lanka respectively have been given the licences.
Outstation horses which are 6-y-o and below will be eligible to participate in the season for horses rated 46 and above. Other than the above, outstation horses will be permitted in the following races: Guindy Gold Cup, Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Memorial Gold Cup, South India Sprinters Trial Stakes, South India Stayers Trail Stakes, Christmas Cup (Gr. III), Madras Gold Vase (Gr. III), Guindy Grand Prix (Gr. III), South India 1000 Guineas (Gr. II), South India 2000 Guineas (Gr. II), South India Oaks (Gr. I), South India Derby Stakes (Gr. I) and South India St. Leger (Gr. II). As a preparatory for the Classics, six handicap races have also been kept open for outstation horses.
Mr. Ghatala said for the benefit of the punters, the entrance fee will be ₹30 (1st enclosure), ₹10 (2nd enclosure) and ₹120 for the Members enclosure for all Madras race days. The declarations will be held 48 hours prior to the race day.
Following the success of the inaugural auction earlier this year, Ramesh Rangarajan, Steward, said that an auction would be held after the Pongal Derby and he expected more than 150 yearlings to be put up at the auction.
Racing dates: October: 20, 27; November: 2, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 30; December: 6, 8 (South India 1000 Guineas), 13, 14, 20 (South India 2000 Guineas), 27 and 28. January 2018: 1 (South India Oaks), 5, 14 (South India Derby Stakes), 19, 24, 25 and 31; February: 1, 8, 14, 17 (South India St. Leger), 21 and 27; March: 11, 12 and 15.