THE MAHARAJA JIWAJIRAO SCINDIA TROPHY (GR.II)
This race was first run as the H. H. Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Memorial Gold Cup, on 11th March 1962. It was a sweepstakes race run over a mile and a furlong, for four year olds and over. The inaugural running of this race was won by bay colt “RUSHIKESH” and owned by The Raja and Rani of Kurundwad (Jnr), trained by D. N. Adenwalla, ridden by Purtu Singh. Four runners faced the Starter and the horse won by a head. The net stakes were Rs.20,505/-. Later on, this race came to be known as H. H. Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Stakes and subsequently became the H. H. Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Gold Cup.
The Maharaja was a great lover of horses and a keen sportsman. He actively encouraged horse racing and was a leading owner in Western India. He was a pioneer of Indian Racing for much of his life. For his lifelong commitment towards Indian Racing the RWITC, after his demise, instituted the H. H. Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia Gold Cup.
Subsequently, in the year 1970, this race became a terms race, which was won by “LOYAL PRINCE” owned by Mrs. A. L. J. Talib, Mrs. Anita Currim, Mrs. Hena Rahimtulla and Mr. R. N. Kanga, ridden by Karan Singh and trained by D. N. Adenwalla. The net stakes were Rs.31,180/-.
Interestingly, in the year 1979, there were only two runners in this race. It was more of a match race between “ROYAL TERN” (Karl Umrigar astride) and “SEAMIST” (V. Shinde up). “ROYAL TERN” owned by Mr. R. M. Goculdas and Mr. M. D. Goculdas, trained by B. Lagad, went on to win by 6 ½ lengths. Interestingly there were no bets offered on “ROYAL TERN”. The net stakes were Rs.45,080.75.
In the year 1980, again there were only two runners who faced the starter. It was once again “ROYAL TERN” who carried 64 ½ kgs. in the fray who beat “WILD BLOSSOM” by a distance. In the year 1981 this race was won by “ROYAL TERN” by 5 ½ lengths who carried 66 ½ kgs. The net stakes were Rs.44,911/-.
In the year 1987, this race got a graded status, (Gr.3) and was won by “COMMANDER IN CHIEF” ridden by V. Shinde, owned by Mr. & Mrs. I. Nathani and Capt. K. S. Alvares, and trained by R. R. Byramji.
From its inception, this race has seen winners of the highest quality, year after year. It is one of the oldest races for 4 year olds and over.
In 2014 it was upgraded to Gr.II, after the Indian Pattern Committee decided to implement the National Pyramid from the pattern 2014/2015 starting from 1st November 2014.
