02 January,2026 10:12 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash Gosavi
Jockey Suraj Narredu astride Lavish Girl at Kolkata on Thursday. Pic/Sourav Sarkar
Ace jockey Suraj Narredu delivered a New Year's Day masterpiece on January 1, 2026, at Kolkata. Riding six mounts on the New Year card, he steered every one of them to victory, equaling the iconic Indian record set by the late Aslam Kader in 1993-94 season at Mumbai.
The New Year Day racing at Kolkata is always celebrated with great fanfare. The Kolkata racecourse buzzed with a record crowd, their cheers amplifying as Suraj turned the card into his personal triumph--a flawless 6-for-6 sweep that felt like poetry in galloping motion.
The story, however, runs deeper than records, weaving an emotional thread between the two riding giants--Suraj Narredu and late Aslam Kader.
When Suraj celebrated his 2,000th winner in Hyderabad in 2019, it coincidentally fell on December 9 - Aslam Kader's birthday. Speaking to mid-day, the veteran jockey warmly declared, "I am taking this great news as my birthday gift." A touching cosmic coincidence that highlighted their mutual respect.
Aslam Kader
Adding to the heartfelt connection, despite his own illustrious career, Suraj sent his son, Aarush, to learn riding from Aslam Kader. It was a humble gesture from one champion to another, underscoring that true legends value mentorship over everything else.
In this sport of roaring crowds and unbreakable spirits, Suraj's feat not only matches a legend's record but carries forward Aslam's legacy - one where triumphs thunder on, and the deepest bonds outlast even the fastest finish.
Today, Suraj stands on the cusp of a monumental milestone in his illustrious riding career: his 2,500th winner!
With victory #2,499 now secured after the Kolkata heroics today, the timing couldn't be more poignant. This Sunday (Jan 4) at Mumbai - the very venue of Aslam's legendary 6/6--a special race, the Aslam Kader Salver, honors the jockey who passed away on October 9 last year due to lung cancer. It would have been poetic justice for Suraj to chase his milestone here at Mumbai this Sunday, paying tribute on the same turf.
But racing's quirks intervene. Due to the weird rules imposed amid the ongoing Glanders situation, riding at Mumbai would require Suraj to undergo tests before returning to Kolkata action--making participation impossible. With the Glanders scare, it seems Indian racing has lost much more than merely its seasonal calendar.
