The Hindu : Sport / Racing : Horse : The MAM saga

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Monday, Dec 31, 2007
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Sport - Racing : Horse

The MAM saga

M. O. Badsha

RACING / A classic 500

M.A.M. Ramaswamy. — File photo

Chennai: A few days before the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, all Kolkata was focussed on Sourav Ganguly as he was to make his 100th Test appearance. But in the City of Joy racing history was made on Dec. 22, 2007, when the D. David-trained Classic Sky (O’Donoghue up) took Dr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy to altitude 500 in his Classics tally at the Hastings race course.

The numero uno of racing has thus put so much distance between himself and the rest of the owners in the country. MAM, the single largest owner of India, known by different names — Racing Baron, Big Daddy of racing, Doctor of Turfology, High Priest of racing, Big Boss, etc. — has indeed scaled a peak which will not be easy to conquer.

When asked for his reaction on achieving this unique feat he just said: “I am happy and thrilled. I have been fortunate and lucky. You need to have a little luck in this sport.”

MAM keeps enlarging his stable every season and his tally of winners also keeps regularly increasing. His equines have lived up to his expectations. While buying the horses he may not draw their planetary charts, but he does not buy one with an asudar mark.

Despite his huge business interests, there is nothing more compelling in his life than racing. This is endorsed by the fact that he spends time at his Stud Farm, stable, sees the horses exercising, keeps track of his horses.

His list of winners includes some truly remarkable champions — Star Haven, Air Hostess, Half A Crown, Red Satin, Own Opinion, Exhilaration, Oxford Blue, Star Contender, Star Performer, Smart Chieftan, Southern Empire, Mystical, etc. So when asked which was his best horse, he said: “ It has to be Own Opinion first. Then Smart Chieftan, Southern Empire, Mystical.” Own Opinion (Jagdish astride) won the first Invitation Cup for him in 1979 beating Royal Tern, which he considers the most exciting moment. In an earlier interview he had said: I love my best horse as much as I love my worst.

From the days of Raymond, many good trainers — SJK Irani, Fred Black, A. B. David, Rashid Byramji (spotted Silver Jet, his first classic winner), Imtiaz Sait, Haskell David, Jim Foley, S. Ganapathy, Robert Foley — have worked for him.

“I cannot single out just one trainer or jockey for my success. I have been fortunate to have good trainers and jockeys (some even from abroad). But Jim Foley and his family are closely associated with me” he added.

Forging a formidable combination with A. B. David and Jagdish, MAM reached his 100th classic through Queen of the Hills in 1982-83. Later jockey Robin Corner also had a fruitful partnership with the stable.

A curious coincidence is that the 200th classic was won by Great Spectacle trained by Robert Foley in 1994-95 while Amazing Girl trained by father Jim gave the 300th five years later.

The father and son duo have done exceedingly well for the stable. When contacted Robert had this to say: “It is a historic feat which cannot be accomplished by anyone else. His love for horses and interest in racing helped him achieve it. I wish him more success in the years to come.”

Trainer S. Ganapathy, who has been associated in 55 of the classic wins, said: “It is a great privilege to train horses for MAM. He is one of the best persons to work for as he gives a free hand in managing a large string”.

B. Prakash, the current stable jockey said : “A legend in the sport, Dr. Ramaswamy has made history in the world of racing and I am very happy to be associated with him.”

From the administrator’s point of view, Mr. K. Balarama Das, Deputy Chairman, Madras Race Club, said: “It is a unique achievement which may not be eclipsed at all. And what more he has won classics in various centres of the country”. Echoing similar views, B. K. Amanullah Khan, Secretary, MRC was overjoyed and delighted at MAM’s feat.

Given his formidable string, MAM has many more peaks to scale. His strength is his weakness for horses, said one punter. Finally, what is the secret behind MAM’s success: His horses are turbo charged and have gold-plated legs said another horse-player.

With inputs from S. R. Suryanarayan and Masood Khan

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