The Indian racing fraternity woke up to sombre news on Sunday morning. Veteran trainer SS Shah, a true gentleman of the turf whose quiet competence defined an era, breathed his last in a Pune hospital. He was 88.

Roxanne, his assistant who took care of his horses, and also looked after him like a daughter, confirmed the news to mid-day. After his wife passed away in June last year, Shah was in and out of hospitals for serious ailments, until a stroke two weeks ago required him to be put on a ventilator. "He must be happy and at peace, reuniting with his beloved wife up there," an emotional Roxanne told mid-day.