The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : HRC's appeal to Government

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006

Sport

Sport - Racing : Horse

HRC's appeal to Government

HYDERABAD: The Chairman of the Hyderabad Race Club (HRC), R. Surender Reddy, has appealed to the Andhra Pradesh government for a reduction in the rate of taxation for race goers.

Addressing a press conference here to announce the commencement of the monsoon season, he said big betting punters from Andhra Pradesh were going to Bangalore, for Karnataka's tax rate was four per cent against AP's ten per cent.

The outflow of money from the state meant a loss of revenue for AP. Revenues would increase both for the AP Government and the HRC if the rate of taxation was brought on par with Karnataka, he assured.

Racing museum

The Chairman also announced the setting up of a racing museum, the first of its kind in the country, under the chairmanship of Ali Khusru Jung, a Steward of the HRC.

Jung, who is a well known race commentator as well as an accomplished polo player and horseman, said "a hall measuring about 10,000 square feet would be constructed above the HRC's office building to house the museum".

About 20 objects of racing related art had already been received, he said. Among them were a pair of goggles worn by legendary jockey Lester Piggot along with a book of his Epsom Derby wins. The Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) had contributed the priceless first volume of the Indian Stud Book, Family Tables of Racehorses and the Bloodstock Breeders Review.

The collection will be a tribute to efforts over two centuries to sustain breeding and racing in India. It would also encourage research and discussion on the exhibits.

On behalf of HRC, Jung appealed to equine lovers for contributions in the form of artefacts/memorablia to the museum, which would be officially acknowledged. All contributions may be sent to The Secretary, Hyderabad Race Club, Malakpet, Hyderabad-500036.

SMS service

In what is another first for the HRC, a short messaging service (SMS) is to become operational from this season in collaboration with WiFi Networks. It will enable mobile phone users receive information pertaining to race results, dividends of the Hyderabad races or any other venue on which the HRC conducts inter-venue betting.

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