11 July,2017 07:50 AM IST | Mumbai | Prakash Gosavi
Zenon, Indian equine superstar Jacqueline's three-year-old son, who opened his winning account last month as reported by this paper on June 8, posted another sensational win at the Haydock racetrack in UK on Saturday
Champion horse Zenon
Zenon, Indian equine superstar Jacqueline's three-year-old son, who opened his winning account last month as reported by this paper on June 8, posted another sensational win at the Haydock racetrack in UK on Saturday.
The odds on the 7-to-2 second favourite, suddenly shot up to 1000-to-1 on the in-play market at Betfair.com when Zenon suddenly dropped back alarmingly to race a detached last, with only the final three furlongs to go. Betfair confirmed after the race that an anonymous lucky punter exploited the opportunity by placing 15 pounds at the four-digit odds for a massive 15,000 pounds (Rs 13 lakh approximately).
KN Dhunjibhoy, the Mumbai horse owner, who owns a stake in Zenon, said the win was "miraculous."
"I spoke to trainer John Gosden later. He said Zenon stumbled and lost his footing," said Dhunjibhoy, who singled out jockey Robert Tart for praise: "The lad showed great maturity when he stopped riding and allowed the horse to get back his rhythm, and then rode him with tremendous vigour for what clearly looked an impossible job."
Interestingly, with Zenon's victory, former BCCI boss Ajay Shirke tasted racing success in his first attempt as a horse owner. Ajay had recently purchased the Coolmore farm's share in the promising three-year-old. He now owns Zenon with his brother Vijay Shirke, Bergis Minoo Desai and Dhunjibhoy, the trio, who also owned Jacqueline.
After this win, English bookmaker Paddy Power revised Zenon's odds at 33-1 for the St Leger Classic at Doncaster in September.
