For newly-weds Srijeeta and Angshuman Bagchi of San Francisco, New Year was all about new experiences in their hometown. For the Natrajans of Delhi, it was about returning to their former city for a decade-old tradition.
More than 20,000 Calcuttans and their guests welcomed 2015 with a rush of adrenaline at the Eveready presents New Year Day Racing, in association with The Telegraph. With nine races lined up, enthusiasts were seen poring over race cards, deciding on bets, cheering their lungs out for their chosen horses and soaking in the festive first day of the year at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC).
'We got married just seven days back. This is the first time we've come to the racecourse and I am loving the atmosphere. I know nothing about racing, so I have placed a token bet on a horse my wife picked out,' said Angshuman, a former La Martiniere boy.
'Coming to the races is like a family tradition for us. Even the ones we don't meet on New Year's Eve, we meet and greet them on the course. We sit and plan our racing strategy a day earlier, we're really enthusiastic about betting and winning. Some years we have up to 14 family members running around RCTC,' said Namrata Natrajan, now studying history at Hindu College in New Delhi.
The day began with The Telegraph Cup, which was won by Malibu, 'the least favourite contender', according to its owner, Deepshikha Pasari. The young lady was of course overjoyed and cheered for her boy so hard that she hit her head and saw stars. But her New Year had begun on just the right hoof and she could be seen grinning through the rest of the races and receiving congratulations from fellow members of the Turf Club.
The dark horse may have stolen the thunder early on but the rest of the day belonged to the favourites. Multitude aced the signature race of the day, the Kunigal Stud Indian Produce Stakes, while Set Aflame won the Friends FM New Year Cup and Silver Silver, the last race of the day.
With the sun and the winter chill deciding to sleep in, fashionistas had a field day, notching up hemlines and ditching bulky layers for elegant lace and sheer. Some men also made an effort, sporting colourful ties and pocket squares, as well as snazzy sleeveless bandhgalas and Jawahar jackets.
At the food court, guests were spoilt for choice - everything from biryani to pav bhaji, noodles to nachos, fried chicken to pasta arrabbiata was on offer, along with a well-stocked bar and a live band.
Anit Casyab, whose deep voice boomed from the commentator's box, added to the buzzing energy on the stands. 'It was yet another grand success this New Year's Day. Despite the gloomy weather, the atmosphere was just so lively, all thanks to our patrons who turned up in huge numbers and enjoyed a day of speed, fashion, food and drink at RCTC. The New Year races is a grand old tradition in Calcutta and we hope it continues for many, many years,' said Casyab, the assistant general manager, racing, RCTC.
For principal sponsor Eveready, the energy, the horsepower and lungpower on display was synonymous with the brand itself.
'The New Year races is a calendar event in Calcutta and people really look forward to meeting and wishing their friends and family a happy new year at the races. The atmosphere at the racecourse was like a carnival. And the event is a brand fit for Eveready, which is all about energy and long-lasting power. We associate with the New Year races as well as the derby, which is on January 11, as they make for a great start to the year,' said Amritanshu Khaitan, managing director, Eveready Industries India.
