THE INDIAN OAKS (GR.1)
The Oaks is named after the Earl of Derby’s estate “The Oaks” in Carshalton. At a dinner party held there, the Earl and his friends planned a sweepstake for three year old fillies over a distance of one and a half miles (2414 mts.) and this was first run way back in 1779. It was won by Earl’s own horse “Bridget”. Hence “The Oaks” came into being.
The Indian Oaks (Gr.1), which was first run in 1943-44 in India, for 4 year old thoroughbred fillies is run over a distance of one mile and 4 furlongs. It has been contested in January except twice, when it was run on 1st February. It is one of the five Indian classic races and is restricted to fillies.
Interestingly, there were 16 fillies so far who have bagged the “Fillies Double”, i.e. Indian 1000 Guineas and Indian Oaks, “VICTORIOUS”, “HER MAJESTY”, “GAMBLE FOR LOVE”, “TOSCA”, “NEOLIGHT”, “SUNNY DOWNS”, “MEHERBAAN”, “RADHAPYARI”, “ELEGANCE”, “HELIANTHA”, “GAZAB”, “REPRINT”, “HIGHLAND RULE”, “POTENTIAL CHAMPION”, “GOLDEN TREASURE” ,“FOREST FANTASY” and “JACQUELINE”
A. L. J. Talib twice trained the winners of the Indian Oaks in three consecutive years. He first did it with “LIBERTY BELLE”, “GAMBLE FOR LOVE”, “NAVARATNA”. He followed up with “TOSCA”, “NEOLIGHT” and “ROSALINDA” later.
The largest winning margin is by “LADY MADONNA” in the year 1975. She won by a margin of distance, owned by S. M. Ruia, R. J. Sigtia and N. R. Ruia, trained by Uttam Singh and ridden by E. Johnson. Incidentally this also happens to be the filly’s maiden win.
Some of the fillies to have won the Oaks and Derby are “CHAKORI”, “ROSE DE BAHAMA”, “ROSE ROYAL”, “FAIR HAVEN”, “REVELATION”, “STARFIRE GIRL”, “AMAZING BAY”, “JACQUELINE” and “MOONLIGHT ROMANCE”
The leading Owner who has won this race the maximum times till date is HH Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia & Partners (4 times), the leading Trainers are ALJ Talib and Uttam Singh (7 times each), and the leading Jockey to have won this race the maximum times is S. Chavan (5 times).
