LAHORE: The year 2008 was notable for the return to the limelight of Sohrab Khan as a big classics owner, Sohail Aziz as trainer and Shahid Rehman as the jockey.

The first blood in the big classics of the year under review, went to Sohrab Khan as his filly, Brave act got home by a distance from stablemate Mythical in the 1000 guineas Of Pakistan over 1600 metres. The Lahore Race Club (LRC) chairman Tariq Aziz’s filly Poly Cat was third.

Brave Act later won the Derby Trials defeating Kiss Of Luck and Desert Prince over 2000 metres.

Brave Act set a new record when the nursling filly won the Pakistan Derby 2008 defeating Tariq Aziz’s colt Headingley, who proved no match for the classic filly.

The triumphs of Brave Act underlined the efficacy of an important aspect of the manner in which Sohrab Khan ensures the strongest possible representation in the higher strata races.

Apart from having enormous successes during the year in lower strata, the glory of triple classic success was unique distinction which also brought him on the top of Lahore owners-including stewards, breeders and big stable owners. At the racecourse every one envied his success.

The year also saw Sohrab’s burning desire to establish own stable as the top one succeeded ultimately when he purchased over a dozen colts and fillies bred in Tariq Aziz/Khawaja Arif stud farm, one time a leading stud.

The season was a big triumph for the reigning trainer Sohail Aziz, who took an unassailable lead on the trainer’s statistics table and kept it intact till the end of the year for the second successive year.

Jockey Shahid Rehman had been the most sought after rider although some times criticized for his style of running, a come from behind tactics, which proved disastrous.

Three sires had wonderful year when their progenies won majority races and places which did not fall in others lot.

The notable sires were: Replay, Bedouin Invader and Putra.

Replay had enjoyed a fine stud career. His progeny Bold Act is enough to put him on the top of the classics winner sires.

The highly promising son of Bedouin Invader, the colt Desert Prince was an emerging turf star. Owned and bred by Mirza Khurshid baig he won six races, three seconds and three thirds.

At least another 20 sons and daughters of imported sire Bedouin Invader won over four dozen races and numerous places listing him as the most prolific sire.

The star filly Dixie owned by Malik Hamid Ali Noon winning four races emerged as the one of the top three-year-old female to give Putra, a respectable position among the sires.

The Lahore Race Club was dealt a severe blow when five of its 50 members passed away to eternity during the year. They were: Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Malik Nadir Khan Tiwana, Mian Jamal Shah, Rao Abdul Rashid Khan and Pervez Hussain.

They were men of high caliber, who lent dignity and respectability to the sports and the club.

Unfortunately their replacements, particularly the induction of two, one being a former licensee rider of LRC and the other an owner had evoked sharp criticism from the racing community.

A former test cricketer and a lover of equine sports, Aftab Gul, called in question their eligibility for alleged involvement in breach of the club’s code of conduct.

In a memorandum submitted to LRC chairman, senior stewards and copy released to Dawn, Gul, a senior advocate said no body can contest the wisdom of LRC stewards (Roma Locuta, Causa, Finita), who instead of being visited with punishment have in their tender mercy rewarded both with club’s membership.

A well-known horse-owner, Mahmood Khan, commenting on their membership said while talking to Dawn that there is one good point in this saga that from now onward the ‘hoi polloi,’ can hope to mix with exalted stewards and members and so he can aspire for being a good candidate, if weighed in social scale.