Legendary racehorse-trainer Uttam Singh handed away in Pune on Thursday, days after celebrating his 103rd birthday.
‘Uttamji’, born on September 19, 1919, in a village known as Gada in Rajasthan, joined as an apprentice jockey on the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) in 1939. After some years, he obtained a coach’s licence and was the primary jockey to decide on the coaching career. In a 50-year coaching profession, he gained 19 Classics earlier than retiring in 2002.
His first Classic win got here in 1968 when Venus De Milo, owned by S.M. Ruia, gained the Indian 1000 Guineas at Mumbai. Popularly generally known as the ‘fillies specialist’ he educated 7 Indian Oaks (Ladies Derby) winners. He additionally gained the inaugural Pune Derby in 1984 via Prudential Champ.
Uttamji’s son Zadmal Singh is a coach at RWITC for greater than three many years. His grandsons Subhag Singh can also be a coach in Western India whereas Niranjan Singh Bhati is the secretary/handicapper on the RWITC.
Mr. Okay.N. Dhunjibhoy, chairman, stewards of the RWITC, mentioned “Today we celebrate the life of a good man whom I have known for many years. Uttam Singh lived his long life doing what he loved around horses and the world of racing. We wish him God Speed on his final ride.”
“Uttam Singh‘s passing away is sad for the racing fraternity, He had a wonderful innings and his presence will be missed,” mentioned Zavaray S. Poonawalla
Source: www.thehindu.com