Racing

Jaandaar Claims Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby Glory

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 11, 2026, 20:51 IST

Trainer Pesi Shroff secured his 101st Classic victory as Jaandaar, ridden by Vivek G, triumphed in the Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr. 1) on Sunday, overcoming a late challenge from Avener.

Jaandaar Claims Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby Glory

Trainer Pesi Shroff reached a significant milestone in his illustrious career as his colt, Jaandaar, secured a hard-fought victory in the Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr. 1) on Sunday, October 11. The win marked the 101st Classic success for Shroff, further cementing his status as a leading figure in Indian horse racing.

Ridden by jockey Vivek G, Jaandaar demonstrated both tactical awareness and raw speed throughout the 2,000-metre contest. Settling into fourth position during the early stages, the colt bided his time before making a decisive move as the field entered the home straight. A tense battle ensued in the final 200 metres against Avener, but Jaandaar showed superior determination to edge ahead and claim the prestigious trophy.

A Day of Celebrations and Milestones

The event served as a platform to honour several key figures within the racing community. The Managing Committee of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) took the opportunity to felicitate Cyrus Poonawalla, who was recently recognised with the Outstanding Contribution Award from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) at their 60th International Conference in Paris.

In addition to the recognition for Poonawalla and Pesi Shroff’s century of Classic wins, jockey P. Trevor was celebrated for reaching the notable landmark of 2,000 career winners. Trevor achieved this career milestone earlier this year, having secured his 2,000th victory aboard Final Call at Bengaluru on May 9.

Supporting Race Results

The day’s card featured a series of competitive races alongside the main Derby event. In the J.M. Shah, C.M. Shah & K.M. Shah Gold Trophy, Caccini, ridden by A. Sandesh, emerged victorious over a 2,400-metre distance. Meanwhile, the Sir Sultan Chinoy Trophy saw Credence, piloted by S. Siddharth, take top honours in a closely contested 1,200-metre sprint.

Other notable performances included Miami Vice, who claimed the Jimmy Umrigar Trophy (Div. II), and Sir Churchill, who triumphed in the first division of the same trophy. Marius secured a victory in the Pune Police Commissioner’s Trophy, while Bishop and Bravo Zulu claimed the N.K. Pudumjee Salver and the Vinayak Salver, respectively, rounding out a full day of racing action.