Calcutta welcomed the spring racing season on February 11 with The Caring Minds Cup, one of the most prestigious annual races held at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club. It was a familiar scene on race day with excitement in the air as spectators thronged the gallery with binoculars to their eyes, lustily cheering the horses as they raced past and eagerly awaiting the victory of the horse they have betted on. The 1,200-metre race for thoroughbreds was held in two divisions — the 1st division was won by Pepper owned by former tennis great Enrico Piperno, while the 2nd division was won by Taimur’s Choice owned by Salman Tarique. Founder director of Caring Minds Minu Budhia gave away prizes to winners in both categories. Snapshots.
In what has become a glorious tradition at the city’s races, the ladies in the gallery exhibited smart trackside fashion. From donning stylish hats to being attractively turned out in the hues of the season, their outfits added colour and character to the race day afternoon. From bright pink and neon yellow to floralprinted dresses and pantsuits in monochrome shades, vibrant colours ruled all the way.
The prestigious The Caring Minds Cup trophy on display in the paddock before the prize distribution ceremony.
Owner of The Caring Minds Cup 2nd division’s winner horse Taimur’s Choice, Salman Tarique and the jockey Hasib Alam were presented their trophy by Minu Budhia.
Sanjay and Minu Budhia with British deputy high commissioner to India, Christina Scott (second from left) and deputy head of mission in British deputy high commission in Calcutta, Yemi Odanye (extreme right) on the RCTC lawns before the start of the Caring Minds Cup races. “It was a real pleasure to host The Caring Minds Cup at RCTC, where races are a much-awaited ‘annual must’, with the best of February weather, gentlemen and ladies in their best attire, amidst the lush green and iconic, scenic view of our beautiful city,” said Minu Budhia.
Founder-director of Caring Minds and ICanFlyy Minu Budhia (second from right) and Sanjay Budhia (extreme right) presented the Caring Minds Cup to the owner of the winning horse Pepper, Enrico Piperno. “Thank you Minu and Sanjay Budhia for a wonderful afternoon of racing at the picturesque RCTC. A big shout out to the Budhia family for their incredible work with their foundation Caring Minds,” Enrico Piperno said.
