"She's the best I have owned": Vijay Mallya

Dr Vijay Mallya leading in Set Alight (C Hayes up) after her victory in the grade 1, Gitanjali Indian 1000 Guineas at the Mahalaxmi racetrack on Sunday, March 1, 2009

"I think she's the best filly I have owned," said Dr Vijay Mallya, who owns Set Alight, winner of the Gitanjali 1000 Guineas run at the Mahalaxmi racetrack yesterday. He was responding to a question put to him by race caller Mahendra Mallya during the trophy presentation ceremony. Minutes earlier, queen filly Set Alight, one of the shortest-priced winners in the history of the Indian 1000 Guineas, had demolished a decent set of challengers that included the Bangalore Derby winner Icebreaker and seven other rivals. In the hands of foreigner CD Hayes, the Pesi Shroff trainee raced in mid-bunch for most of the mile trip, moved up on tight reins to draw alongside Icebreaker (David Allan up) at the 200-meter marker, and then skipped away to a lengthening two-and-a-half-length victory in the smart time of 1 minute 35.59 seconds.

Vijay Mallya went on to explain how special Set Alight is for him. "When I say she's the best, that's saying a lot, because I have been particularly lucky with fillies as four of my five Indian Derby winners have been fillies," he elaborated, "this one (Set Alight) is special because I had also owned her mother (Set Aside)."  

Mallya obviously has reason to be thrilled by Set Alight's Derby prospects. Set Alight will be the first serious contender from the Mallya camp after a virtual drought of eight long years. His last Derby victory was gained by Storm Again in 2001, after which none of the Mallya horses figured even as contenders for the the biggest race that is sponsored by none other than Mallya's own UB Group. Set Alight has not only ended that long drought, but she is now also a strong ante post favourite for the McDowell Indian Derby to be run on April 12.

All round praise

Everyone from the Gitanjali chief honcho Mehul Choksey to special guest and former film actress Poonam Dhillon was all praise for the queen filly. "I enjoyed watching Dr Mallya's horse winning in a such great fashion," said Choksey, while Poonam Dhillon said she was totally absorbed by such a thrilling contest, adding, "now I know why people get addicted to this wonderful sport."

Set Alight was bred at the Usha stud farm, perceived as arch rival of the Poonawalla stud farm since the two breeding establishments have traditionally fought for the top spot in this sport in India. However, Dr Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of RWITC and chief of the Poonawalla stud, was magnanimous in praising his arch rival's superstar: "She (Set Alight) is a champion," he said, "and to know whether she's one of the all-time-greats, we will have to wait for her to run the Derby."

Ameeta Mehra, owner of Usha stud where Set Alight was bred in 2005, said she was amazed by Set Alight's progress and thrilled by her performance. Ameeta also has another reason to smile as Autonomy, who won the MiD DAY trophy recently and will be a front-line contender for the Johnny Walker Indian 2000 Guineas to be run next Sunday, is also bred by her. 

Phenomenale in the 2000 Guineas fray

By the way, Pesi Shroff, who has given ample joy to breeder Ameeta Mehra by training Set Alight so wonderfully, is all set to thwart the march of her other hope, Autonomy, trained by none other than Bezan Chenoy. Interestingly, Shroff, as a jockey, had parted company with trainer Bezan Chenoy in not-so-amiable atmosphere 20 years ago, after winning two back-to-back Derbies with his horses Enterprising (1984) & Revelation (1985). And the galloping talent that Shroff is planning to unleash against Autonomy in the 2000 Guineas is none other than the number two filly in his yard, Phenomenale, reportedly the costliest got-abroad import who won the Nanoli Pune Derby in only the third start of her career. Phenomenale is owned jointly by the Poonawallas and Rattonseys. 

When I asked Pesi Shroff, he confirmed, "Yes, Phenomenale will run in the 2000 Guineas."