PTI
New Delhi
Amid growing uncertainty over the future of the century-old Delhi Race Club, the prized thoroughbred horses are steadily leaving the national capital. Of the around 272 horses housed here a few months ago, only about 98 remain.
Worth anywhere between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 50 lakh, depending on their pedigree and racing record, the thoroughbreds are among the country’s finest and most expensive racehorses. Every few days, another horse float rolls out of the racecourse, carrying prized racehorses to new homes at racing centres across the country, sources told PTI.
The gradual exodus follows the Centre’s move to reclaim the government land occupied by the club.
The Land and Development Office (L&DO) issued a notice on March 13 directing the club to vacate the land within 15 days, saying it was required for public purposes. The club challenged the move before the Delhi High Court, which later set aside an interim order that had stayed the eviction proceedings, adding to the uncertainty over the future of the racecourse.
“We used to have 272 thoroughbred horses here; now, due to the uncertainty around their future, only 98 remain as of today. Just today we released three horses. Their owners have sent them to other race clubs and schools,” a source told PTI.
Owners have been gradually shifting their thoroughbreds to race clubs in Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hyderabad and Kolkata, the sources added.
They said that the older horses that are less fit for racing have been sold to riding schools, while a few have also been moved to a race facility in Meerut.
According to an official notification issued by the Delhi Race Club, inter-venue racing has been suspended until further orders in view of the ongoing eviction proceedings, discussions with the Land and Development Office (L&DO) and the pending court cases.
“Racing at the club is otherwise suspended every year from the end of April 30 till September because of the intense summer heat. This time, even the inter venue racing and activities and betting are also suspended,” a source told PTI.
“No owner wants to wait till the last moment. They are moving the horses wherever proper racing facilities are available,” the source added.
The horses are transported in specially designed floats that can carry up to eight animals at a time. “These are thoroughbreds bred only for racing. Depending on their pedigree and performance, a horse can cost anywhere between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 50 lakh,” the source said.
Unlike ordinary horses, these animals are bred exclusively for racing and spend years following carefully planned training routines.
“These horses are like athletes. Their exercise, food and medical care are all carefully monitored every day,” a trainer said.
He added that thoroughbreds have delicate bone structures and even a minor slip during training can lead to a hairline fracture.
“They cannot eat ordinary fodder like other horses,” he said. Every horse is fed specially prepared meals containing nutrients, vitamins and minerals to keep it race-fit.
Workers added that maintaining a racehorse costs at least Rs 40,000 a month, with expenses rising depending on the horse’s age, training and medical requirements.
Pointing towards the long rows of stables beside the horseshoe-shaped track, a worker said the structures have stood there for nearly a century, dating back to the British era when horse racing was introduced in Delhi.
Renovated in the 1940s, the stables were carefully designed to shield the horses from the capital’s harsh summers. “This place was built very meticulously so that the heat does not reach the horses and there is proper ventilation inside,” he said.
The racecourse also has veterinary facilities, cooling arrangements and regular grooming schedules.
“These horses need cooling, grooming and medical care every day. You cannot keep them just anywhere,” another worker said.
The uncertainty has also cast a shadow over the livelihoods of nearly 5,000 families, including trainers, jockeys, contractors and stable workers, who depend on the Delhi Race Club.
One employee, who has worked at the racecourse since 1992, said he first came to the racecourse to clear the tracks before gradually moving into office work.
“This place has helped us run our homes for decades. If it shuts, where will we go?” he said.
Trainer Irfan Ali, 50, said horse training has been his family’s profession for six generations. “My grandfather taught me the basics. I first worked as an assistant before becoming a trainer. I have trained around 50 thoroughbreds in my career and currently look after 13 racehorses,” he said.
Calling it the only race club in north India, Ali said generations of families have built their lives around the racecourse.
The uncertainty began after the Land and Development Office issued a notice on March 13 directing the club to vacate the government land within 15 days, saying it was required for public purposes.
The Centre has maintained that the lease executed on March 8, 1926, was temporary, remained valid through periodic extensions until December 31, 1994, and was never renewed thereafter. It said the club has remained in unauthorised occupation of the government land since January 1, 1995.
On April 17, authorities initiated proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act by issuing a show-cause notice asking why eviction and recovery of damages should not be ordered.
The club challenged the proceedings before the Delhi High Court. The court set aside the interim order that had stayed the eviction proceedings, reviving the process and deepening the uncertainty over the future of the century-old racecourse.
