In happier days: Trainer Pesi Shroff receiving the Kingfisher Derby trophy from Mrs Rekha Mallya after Set Alight's most impressive performance at Bangalore
I managed to reach trainer Pesi Shroff on his cell phone. He was at his stables in Pune. The heartbroken trainer at once confirmed my worst fears that racing career was indeed over for the queen filly.
Here are the Q & A's:
Prakash Gosavi: Pesi, is it true?
Pesi Shroff: Yes, it is.
PG: How did this happen?
PS: It's a ligament tear. It happened some time ago. She was being treated and we hoped it would stay contained. It was a very small lesion, but has increased in size. That's when we took the decision not to run.
PG: How is she (Set Alight) now?
PS: She's fine--she is right here in front of me as I am talking to you. She is fine otherwise--looking fine, eating well. But we can't risk her. Not after she has had such a fine career behind her. We sure were looking forward to the Invitation Cup, but we cannot sacrifice her for our own egos or to prove a point. She's had a hard racing career, she never shied away from challenge when she was fit--and she deserves to be treated with respect. She is going to stud.
PG: Has Dr Vijay Mallya been informed?
PS: Yes.
PG: What was his reaction?
PS: He is a seasoned horse owner. She has been a very special filly for all of us, and it's a unanimous decision.
PG: Today's the first day of the new year Pesi, and I am sure every race lover's heart is going to bleed for her after hearing this sad news...
PS: You are right, Prakash. Rarely a horse gets such love and adulation from almost every racing fan. And I must also say rarely a horse deserves it all. She was really everybody's darling--and I feel there is going to be that small corner in everybody's heart which she's always going to occupy.
So sorry to know abt SA. Shes was, is and will stay great in every body's eyes. But good decision Mr Mallya & Pesi.
ReplyDeleteThis shouldnt have happened. vijay mallyas luck has run out in all sports ifeel. God's wish. Now we her fans will wait for her son or daughter.
ReplyDeleteOh Universal power
ReplyDeletesome time you bless us with such wonder creations , and at the same time you also take it away from us
i must say congratulate to my favorite jockey and trainer Pesi for being so compassionate in sending set alight to stud
thank God
heart ruled over head
and Mr.Mallya a great sportsman knows what to do.
i wish her a great career at the new job assigned to her
hope she will produce great champions.
i must also point out here that the recent arc winner sea the star has been retired to stud.
he was offered $60 but the present owners declined this money and opted to send sea the star to stud purpose
may these giants continue to serve for what they are made off
and lastly
thanks prakash
for updating us
with love and immense gratitude
easwaran
its definitely very unfortunate but i have to add that she was looking the worst ever, off late on the morning track than she ever has, in her entire career.
ReplyDeleteAlso Prakash looking forward to your comments on the objection in the mysore derby. Sites like racingpulse have opined, but then Sharan Kumar has this soft corner for Padmanabhan and for him paddy and his horses can do no wrong, even when Dartagnan tested positive for an anabolic steroid in the bangalore summer, Mr. Sharan Kumar refused to condemn it, nor did he let anyone post any messages on his site about the same. So when he writes regarding incidents involving Padmanabhan's horses i do take it with a pinch of salt.
I personally feel the objection was overruled justifiably, yes you do feel wronged if you had backed Messalina, but then that is a part and parcel of racing. I may debate the manner in which the enquiry was conducted, but the end result was correct. You do not give the derby away just because you have been taken out in the straight and there was no contact whatsoever. Also as Srinath mentioned why did he wait till the last fifty metres to change his course.
See the sport is anyways going through its lows, the last thing you want is people writing how the decision has killed the sport further, just because the decision didn't suit their pockets.
So i would definitely like more responsible people like you to express your opinion on such incidents, as i know you would opine strictly on technical criteria rather than monetary or personal reasons.