Calcutta: MAM Ramaswamy, the doyen of Indian racing, passed away on Wednesday evening after a brief illness. He was 84.

Popularly known in the country’s racing circles as MAM, Ramaswamy was the last king of Chettinad, and also the last king of Indian racing. One can say with authority that there will never be another.

MAM had enjoyed unprecedented success on the Indian turf. Besides winning thousands of events and all major races in the country, he also won 600 Indian Classics — a record which may never be surpassed. 

Horseracing apart, MAM was also a sports lover. During his tenure as the president of erstwhile Indian Hockey Federation, India won the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, in 1975, and also bagged Gold at the Moscow Olympics, in 1980. 
“It is difficult to accept that Dr MAM Ramaswamy has passed away,” said Daniel David, MAM’s horse-trainer in the city. “His love for horses and his undying passion for racing will always be the greatest story told in Indian racing circles. He would always be supportive of anyone who was in difficult times. I had the privilege to train for him,” added David.