Pune: The whole of India eagerly awaits the start of the SA Poonawalla Million to be held at the Race Coure in Pune on Sunday afternoon.
The racing public all over India takes this opportunity to salute the Late Soli A Poonawalla, the founder father of the Poonawalla Stud Farm. He is the focal point of the Poonawalla group, now led by the distinguished Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla, his brother Zavaray S Poonawalla and Adar Cyrus Poonawalla, Natasha Adar Poonawalla,Yohan Zavareh Poonawalla, Simone and Michelle, the younger, future flames of the Poonawalla group.
Soli A Poonawalla was the fountainhead of their inspiration. Fifty four years ago, when horse breeding was in its infancy, he had the wisdom and courage to establish the Poonawalla Stud Farm and it is now the champion stud farm in India.
In doing so, he inextricably linked his farm with the development of the Indian thoroughbred. His dedication and guiding principles continue to dictate the purpose and direction of farms in the present day. As a result of this, the Poonawalla Stud Farm and the Indian thoroughbred have now stepped onto the international arena.
Over the years, the Poonawalla Stud Farm has broken records, rewritten racing history and continues to sponsor the richest race in the country.
The Poonawalla Breeder’s Million in Mumbai, the SA Poonwalla Multi Million in Pune and the SA Poonawalla Mysore derby being some of them. The time is not far when this event will be held all over the country and who knows the million may change into a billion with the dedication shown by the younger generation in the Poonawalla family.
The year 2018 will be remembered for a long time as the Poonawalla Stud Farms now has 350 classic winners to its credit. Fitz Call, in the year 1951 was its first classic winner in the Indian 2000 Guineas. They celebrated their 25th win with Woolver Valley, winning the Calcutta 1000 Guineas in 1979. Corviglia brought in their 50th win in the Indian 1000 Guineas in 1985.
Knight Earnest won the Pune Derby in 1989 to bring their tally to 75 and then completed a century with Romantic Dancer in the Calcutta 2000 Guineas in 1990. Aptly named, Moment of Glory was the 200th classic winner in the Golconda 1000 Guineas in 1997. Priceless saw the Poonawallas score their 259th winner in the Mysore 1000 Guineas in 2002.
The Poonawalla Stud Farm has nine Indian Derbys to their credit and a total of 68 Indian classics. Their success abroad has been phenomenal too with winners in Hong Kong, Singapore, USA and Malaysia. Astonish, Adler, Simply Noble and Imperialism have brought fame in the international circuit to the Poonawalla Stud Farm. And Villoo Poonawalla Greenfield Stud Farms has bred multiple group winners over the years, spread over 200 acres of land, founded in the 1960’s.
Astonish was the first Indian horse to win international acclaim. Astonish won the Indian Triple Crown and Horse of the Year 1991-1992, Astonish stormed his way to victory in a Class I field in Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
Their dedication and unceasing efforts to breed champions stems from their love for these majestic animals. As King Richard III said, “A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse,” these words befit the Poonawallas.
The Poonawalla Group’s single minded focus in bringing Indian Racing and thoroughbred industry onto the world racing map.
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla and Zavaray Poonawalla have both received the Hall Of Fame Award for their outstanding contribution towards horse racing in India.
