Before and after : “They are off and running….”

By Rajen Bali

"All in. Under Starter's orders. And, they are off and running," signals the start of the drama-in-great-density lasting but a few minutes. The climax comes with one horse crossing the finish-line ahead of the others. Sometimes, the drama is further intensified with a result involving a photo-finish. Thousands wait for those agonising minutes which it takes the camera to decide upon who won by the proverbial whisker. The ultimate of this drama-at-the-finish can be the rate dead-heat when even the unfailing electronic eye of the camera lens cannot be certain as to who won. Remember the dead-heat in the Calcutta Derby of 1989 involving Zarashah and Aphroze?

Agreed that the ultimate racing-drama is the race itself with the horses being the stars supported by a cast of thousands, but there are many other dramas which unfold before and after the actual race is run. These may not be witnessed by the racing public, but can be as interesting- comic or serious - as the race itself.

Take the names of the horses, for instance. If you were a self respecting horse, would you not protest at being named "Coxcomb", "Metallic", "Satellite", Bluelight", "Cap-a-Pie", "Good Business II", "Nightjar", or "Metal?" Imagine horseflesh being named `Metal'! The only way that these horses mentioned could `protest' and have a horse-laugh was by carrying not only their name but also the weight upon their back and winning The Queen Elizabeth Cup between the years 1872 and 1955. The `funny' names for horses include "Diesel", "Ridicular", "Green Sari", Clamp", "Cradle of the Deep", "ocean Way" and "Hydrofoil". And, mind you, all of them winners.

A most interesting drama was the naming of the best-known race in the world, the Derby at Epsom; following which there have been many `Derby' in the world, including the one at Calcutta. Over two hundred years ago a Col. St. Leger had started a race named after him at Doncaster, England - the first of the `Classics'. Two of his friends, Lord Derby and Sir Bunberry decided that they too should have a race named after one of them. To decide the `winner', a gold soveriegn was flipped and Lord Derby won the toss. Thus was the first Derby run at Epsom in 1780 over a distance of 1.5 miles and 29 yards. Imagine, if only the other gentleman had called correctly, the world would probably never have witnessed another Derby. Instead, we would all be raving about "...that most prestigious of races, the Bunberry."

As all those familiar with horse racing know, the races are run under certain rules and conditions which also involve the riders, the horses and others. One of the most interesting races ever run at Calcutta with perhaps the most bizarre rules and conditions was The Cherroot Stakes for untrained Arabs. In this race, the riders had to "Each start with a lighted cherroot in his mouth and to keep same alight to the Weighing place or to be considered distanced (disqualified). The winner to be claimed within half an hour after weighing..." A report on this race said: "This novel race created a deal of amusement and was probably run first in compliance with the wishes of the fair sex portion of the spectators, many of whom had come out specially to witness it. The riders, with the exception of one, whose cherroot went out, showed themselves adept at the art of smoking and we understand that from the great ease with which they kept their cherroots alight for a mile, It is proposed to have a similar race on Wednesday round the Course, in which case the start would be a very interesting sight." For the records, as many as 17 horses took part in this race, held during the Christmas season of 1831-32.

Another interesting race during the meeting which featured the Cherroot Stakes was the one for Gentlemen Riders, bonafide Bengal Tats-untrained-maidens-under 13 hands. The last Tat to pay the entrance of the second. A real tit-for-tat event. That there were very healthy fields in those days is illustrated by the fact that again 17 ran in this race.

A horse's potential in racing is honed by training imparted by experienced professionals. The trainers have to be astute judges of horseflesh and be able to understand the character of the horse as an individual. One can go on to say that, metaphorically, the trainer must understand the horse's language and be able to `speak' to his ward. Some trainers reportedly literally converse with their horses. The training methods employed can be very interesting and individual. In the early days, most races were run over distances of around 2 and 3 miles, involving upto 5 heats. In 1828, a horse had won a very hard first heat in the face of rather stiff competition. The second heat was to be run after just half an hour. The owner put the horse's forelegs into a tub of saltpetre and cold water while he drenched it with a pint of warm beer with a nutmeg in it. What matters is - as a result of these rather strange training methods - the horse concerned duly won the second heat too. Is there a lesson in it all for today's trainers?

A dramatic moment in Calcutta must have been the meeting of the `Friends of the Turf which took place at the Race Stand in February 1846. It was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Sawers, a father figure of the time. At this meeting Stewards were elected for the 1846/47 Season. These gentlemen were to take an active part in the formation of the Calcutta Turf Club in the following year.

While drama at the races is a matter of ifs and buts, this particular drama at the Press Conferences is one of those rare `sure certainties'. Imagine the same question being asked in connection with a particular race, year after year. Those required to answer the question - about stake money offered, and the acute need for its enhancement - kept on changing over the years. But, the question? Never.

One of the important aspects of handing-over procedures among the managers of this bank which sponsors of this bank which sponsors the race must have been about THE QUESTION and how to answer it. The meeting starts and all await anxiously for the question to be popped. Sure as death, or the repeated wins by Burning Fire over the last three years, the question comes. An, is answered. Temporary relief all round that the years's deed is done. Now, all that remains is to adjourn to the venue where one soothes and lubricates not only the throat, but also the soul.

The racing drama continues after the races are run. Endless arguments and discussions among the losers about who ignored whose advice. There is a lot spoken about the surefire `khabar' which was ignored. The winners are busy celebrating what they consider is their acumen borne out of great racing knowledge. It could be so, or sheer luck.

There were other post-race methods of celebrating the racing-drama too. An advertisement in a local paper of January 2, 1794, said, " The Stewards present their complements to the subscribers to the races and advice them that brakfast with music will be provided in tents on the course after the racing... and a Ball and a Supper on the 18th when they hope for the honour of their company." Races were run, won and lost. There was fun, frolic, music and dancing. In somewhat different form, it is still the same. Formats may have changed, but the drama of racing endures and continues. For sheer dramatic content, there is nothing better than an afternoon at the races in Calcutta.