MUMBAI: The Indian Derby, the most sought-after race in the Indian horse racing calendar, has become a family affair for the Narredus in the last decade.
The mega spectacle which unfolds at the picturesque Mahalaxmi Racecourse on the first Sunday of February every year (barring a few occasions) always has three or four members of the Narredu family in action. This Sunday too, there will be four members of the family taking part in the Indian Derby.
Four of the six members of the Narredu family have won this biggest race either as a trainer or as a jockey. Brothers Satish and Malesh have won the coveted crown both as trainer and jockey while elder brother Satish's sons Suraj (jockey) and Rajesh (trainer) won it together in 2019 with Star Superior.
Suraj (with four wins under his belt) is in fact the most successful jockey after legendary Pesi Shroff (won a record eight times). Suraj has so far won around 2290 races which also include more than 90 classics!
The two sons of Malesh, trainer Deepesh and jockey Yash Narredu), the younger of the lot, are yet to taste the Indian Derby success but they are confident that one day they will.
The association of the Narredu family with horse racing started with Satish in the late 70s. The family used to reside in the vicinity of the Pune Racecourse as Satish's father Gangaram was an employee of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) which conducts races at the Mumbai and Pune. "I used to watch races climbing atop trees and instantly fell in love with races," said Satish. And later when he told his father that he wants to become a jockey. His father enrolled him at the jockey school run by the RWITC. "I got my license in 1976 and started riding at Pune and Mumbai before shifting to Bangalore," informed Satish.
Soon, Satish's younger brother Malesh revealed to him that he too wants to become a jockey and subsequently was enrolled at the Pune jockey school. And thus, the Narredu family's association with horse racing started. Both the brothers had brilliant success in the saddle having won more than 2000 races and numerous Indian (ones held at Mumbai) and regional classics.
Satish was the first to win an Indian Derby crown in 1996 with Amazing Bay and Malesh followed him by winning astride Indictment in the following edition. In fact, that year in 1997, Malesh won the triple crown (Indian 1000 Guineas, Indian Derby and Indian St Leger) astride Indictment. Later in their careers when both the brothers became trainers, they again lay their hands on the majestic Indian Derby trophy. While Satish won it in 2013 with Super Storm, Malesh won it in 2015 through Be Safe which was ridden by his nephew Suraj.
Satish's sons Suraj and Rajesh, who were brought up in the racing environment, joined the family tradition and became jockey and trainer respectively. Both the brother won the Indian Derby together in 2019 with Star Superior.
Now Malesh's two sons Yash (jockey) and Deepesh (trainer) are the new flag bearers of the Narredu family. In a unique achievement, Yash and Deepesh became champions of the season together in Chennai last year. Yash is probably the youngest-ever jockey to win an Indian Classic when he won the Invitation Cup with Quasar in 2015.
"It's a very proud feeling that my family members have been involved in the biggest race in the country, the Indian Derby, and that too with considerable success. It shows the commitment and sincerity of the family and gives us the satisfaction that we are doing the right things," said Suraj.
