Horse racing sport gaining importance

Aligarh, May 23: Even as horse racing continues to remain the pastime of the rich and famous, stud farm owners say equestrian issues in India are increasingly being viewed not just as an arena of gambling. The perception is changing and horse racing as a sporting event is becoming more popular. With that rearing better varieties of horses is also catching up in India. "The future of stud farming is that so far in India this business is not as recognized as in many foreign countries. We hope it will improve in the future because over the years, many perceptions have changed and now many don't view it just as a source of gambling but a sport, which is a very good development," said Yaadvendra Singh, owner of the Doaba Stud Farm situated in the outskirts of northern Aligarh city. From its humble beginning with two stallions in 1963, Singh's farm is today counted among the handful of serious breeding centers in northern India. Heir of an erstwhile princely family of the region, Singh's stallions have proven their mettle in many an events in racing centers across India. Today, with a crop of seventy, raising horses is more of a passion than a business for him. "Our horses have got many successes in the past and we have also exported them to many countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius," Singh said. Like in the rest of the world, breeding and more importantly, racing remain the main reasons of investing in horses. From importing of the first thoroughbred stallion in 1886, racing horses has come a long way in India. While dozens of stud farms exist across India, breeding of horses in private farms is not an entirely promising scenario. Some farm owners say the reality on the ground is different. Low profit and high investments and recurring expenses make it the preserve of only the super rich and famous. Lack of institutional support too is a dampener to this hobby-turned-business. Estimates put the number of thoroughbred stud farms in India at 60, offering nearly 1300 horses every year. India exports racehorses to Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius and some other nations though their value remains small. Bureau Report