After getting knocked out of the race to run a detached last, dark bay colt Baychimo produced a stunning gallop in the hands of Matheran boy A Sandesh to sweep past the rivals to win the Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1)
The Indian 2000 Guineas winner Baychimo being paraded in the Mahalaxmi paddock after the race. From left to right: Jockey A Sandesh, trainer Adhirajsingh and owner Shiven Surendranath
The dark bay three-year-old colt Baychimo posted a sensational victory in the Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1), the second Classic of the Mumbai racing season 2025-26, which featured as the prime event of Sunday's bumper ten-race card at the Mahalaxmi racetrack.
When all eyes--and most of the betting funds--were on Irishman Oisin Murphy astride the Pesi Shroff-trained favourite Zacharias, Matheran boy A Sandesh stole the thunder astride Baychimo in a sensational display of powerhouse riding. After a quick and smart jump that put him in front of the pack, Baychimo soon received a bad check from stablemate Sovereign King (Anthony Raj S up), to drop back to run a detached last. But Sandesh kept his cool when he sensed the front runners were anyway going too fast for their own good, and gradually improved position to run a close last while turning for home. Thereafter, it did not matter who were in front or what they were doing to outwit one another, it was all Sandesh and Baychimo, who accelerated like a bullet train and swept past the field, the ace jockey managing to put Baychimo's nose ahead of stablemate Sovereign King at the wire.
Baychimo is trained by Adhirajsingh, who said his father (late trainer Magansingh Jodha) was blessing him from above, as he finished 1-2 in the big race. "It's a team effort that has borne the fruit today," he added, "I will give full credit to my stable staff." Baychimo is owned by Diamond band Rac. Syn. Pvt Ltd, represented by Shiven Surendranath, Kersi H Wachcha, Virkam Bachhawat and Dr SA Arif.
"It wasn't part of the plan," owner Shiven Surendranath said in jest at the prize distribution ceremony, referring to the interference Baychimo received, when asked about Baychimo's unbelievable Indian 2000 Guineas (Gr 1) victory. "I lost all hope when I saw him falling back to race a detached last," chimed in Kersi H Wachcha, "no chance now, I thought. But this boy (he patted jockey Sandesh's back) made it happen. What an incredible ride!"
"In February I rode my 50th Classic when I won the Indian Derby at Mahalaxmi on Ranquelino," said Sandesh in a chat with mid-day after the race, "this is my 51st Classic--after a gap of ten months. So in a way, I am happy and relieved the drought has ended."
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