LAHORE: Favourite colt Sardar scorched his way into the annals of country’s racing history by winning the Lake City Pakistan Derby here at the Racecourse on Sunday.

From a tricky inside draw of colt Sardar trained by Tauqeer Ahmad was given a memorable ride by Aamir Pervaiz who achieved a unique feat of recording his ninth victory in this 2,400-metre classic.

He beat colt Golden Market by a street’s margin as colts Swift Retort and Public Star came third and fourth, respectively, among 15 starters.

Jubilant owner Mohammad Ashfaq Choudhry was presented the Derby Cup at the high-profile prize distribution ceremony held in the stewards gallery.

The ceremony was held in the presence of President Asif Ali Zardari, and was also attended by Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, foreign diplomats and high-ranking officials and Lahore Race Club (LRC) chairman Makhdum Syed Ahmad Mahmud along with LRC and Jockey Club Of Pakistan stewards.

The President Breeders Pakistan Cup, run over 1400 metres, was won by bay colt Perfect Again. The winner owned by Chaudhry Mamud Ahmad and trained by Haji Abid Mahmood upset co-favourite colts Sultan and Hi Volt who occupied second and third place, respectively.

A strong crowd witnessed the 11-event competition in which five other races — Syed Taufeeq Kamal Shah Haqqi Memorial Cup, Champion Stakes Cup, Stewards Cup,

LRC Cup and the Sohna Plate Cup — were also held.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2025