LAHORE, Feb 24: The most cherished annual event in the country's calendar, the Pakistan Derby, will be run at the picturesque Kot Lakhpat Racecourse on March 4 and is set to be the richest-ever event since its inception in 1947.
A race for four-year-old country bred colts and fillies it provides a test of stamina, endurance and speed and exemplifies elegance, grandeur and a name in the racing history for the winner, deservedly crowned as the champion four-year-old.
Although the actual prize-money for the colts and fillies placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be worked out when the final line up for the classic glory will be announced on Thursday, it is certainly to exceed rupees one million.
This will be the 59th running of the Pakistan Derby. There is still a week to go before the biggest classics for four-year-old, yet the quest for picking the probable Derby winner has already started and discussion going on in the racing circles throughout the country.
The Pakistan Derby gets its name from the English Derby, instituted by Lord Derby, was first held over a mile and a quarter (2000m). Before it was known as Punjab Derby during the British colonial rule.
In its chequered history, the race was run over 2000m.
The distance remained the same till 1954 when 400m were added to bring it to international standard distance level.
The Derby was not held in 1978. It was re-started the following year but over 2000m. Again the distance was raised to international standard in 1983. Since then, it has gained the status of biggest classic and feature event of Pakistan racing.
Every owner, trainer and jockey cherishes to win the distinction of being associated with the success in this classic and continue struggle to achieve the objective. Some are successful and more fortunate are those having won more than once. But there are many who have not won the Derby even for once.
There are owners, who have won the Derby more than once. They are: Syed Shah Mardan 11 Pir Pagaro, H. S. Khawaja, Jamal Khan Leghari, Sardar Mohammad Khan Leghari, Sardar Ata Mohammad Khan Leghari, Syed Parvaiz Hussain Shah, and Yousuf Zafar Khan, Only four women owners have so far won the big event, namely, Sahibzadi Fareeda Begum, Syeda Abida Hussain, Khalida Yasmeen and Raj Bibi.
The more fortunate among the trainers to have won the Derby more than once are: Capt Fownes, Tymon, M. H. Shah, Khuda Mux Peshambey, Fateh Khan, M. Ashraf, Raja Mohammad Azad, Haji Fazal Hadi and I. Nawab.
Among jockeys this feat has been achieved by Faiz Mohammad, S. Lalloo, Bill Alford, Khadim Hussain, Memraiz, Fletcher, Salahuddin, Aamir Parvaiz and Shahid Rehman.
Trainer Fownes holds the record to win Derby seven times, a feat no trainer had been able to achieve throughout the racing-world.
Trainer M. Ashraf won five times. Jockey M. Faiz and Flatcher also won Derby four and five times, respectively. Flatcher had the singular achievement of performing Derby hat trick through Early Arrival, Stride By Stride and Yes My Darling.
Many of the lucky owners, trainers and jockeys are not with us today, but their names live in the annals of racing.
Meanwhile, the Derby contenders are under-going the final round of preparation and owners and trainers are hoping against hope that lady luck may smile on them.
After many years the Derby has invoked a country-wide interest with Big Show, a contender from Karachi on the roll of honour. Once again her main rival will be local colt, Toru Khan in the final show down after the Derby Trial.
Both are undergoing a steady schedule of preparatory training capturing the attention and imagination of the racing pundits.
Already both have put up high quality performances. Toru Khan (Tora Bora-Best Malan) has had to his credit five straight wins but was beaten by Big Show (Re Play- Next Generation) in the Derby Trial. Relatively this was his most disappointing performance.After her arrival from Karachi, Big Show has proved herself as queen of country's fillies with game victories in the 1000 guineas Of Pakistan and the Derby Trial. By her excellent show, Big Show has emerged as one of the best, if not the best country bred four-legged females.
Toru Khan is owned by Huzaifa Shoaib while Haji Ghulam Dastgir owns Big Show . The turf queen, Big Show is being trained by S. Ehtisham, who has emerged as the most skilled racehorse trainer.