SUSPENSION of races for six months due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, payment of insurance claim to widow of rider M. Nasir and Royal Ransom’s rise to stardom in the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup were the highlights of a rather forgetful 2020.

As all sporting activities including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics either remained suspended or were postponed. The Karachi Race Club (KRC) was no exception. Following government announcement of lockdown on March 15, races were brought to a an abrupt halt and the suspension incurred a loss of approximate Rs7.5m as a result some 20 racing weeks were cancelled.

Despite huge financial loses, the KRC managed to pay the salaries to its staff in addition to the utility bills from savings and the industry survived.

The races were finally resumed on Sept 6 with the Defence Day Cup.

The KRC deposited a sum of Rs975,000 in the account of Nasir’s widow — Rs800,000 insurance claim and Rs175,000 contribution from owners, turf accountants, riders and trainers. The year 2020 culminated with the showpiece event — the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup —with the Derby winner Royal Ransom completing a grand double.

Rider Waheed Baran did the Balochistan-based owner Haji Sahib Jan Braech and trainer Amjad Ali proud.

It was the maiden Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup triumph for the trio.

After Derby victory for Lahore owner Shah Rukh under jockey Tahir Abbas, Haji Sahib Jan bought Royal Ransom for Rs1.6m, sources told Dawn.

Tahir was supposed to ride Royal Ransom in the mega event but the owner replaced him due to alleged suspicious riding in the Quaid-e-Azam Trial Cup.

“Yes I decided to opt for Waheed Baran following Tahir’s failure to run the horse on merit,” he told Dawn.

The Balochistan-based owners have been investing in horseracing for quite sometime and producing results which is evident from the fact that Zarkava from the stables of Shershah Kasi had also lifted the Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup in the past.

Meanwhile, 70 new horses — 40 from Lahore and the rest from Karachi — were inducted during the year.

As many as 20 horses died due to colic disease while four were destroyed following injuries during races.

As many as 22 one-year-old thoroughbredsof different studs were registered with JCP during the year.

Altogether, 36 cup races were held.

The miseries of regular staff are multiplying due to inflation and Covid-19 and needs appraisal at the earliest. It has been a decade now as they got raise in their last salaries. And this being election year with the new body taking over in October, their sufferings would be lessened.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2021