Hyderabad, July 20: An enhanced total stake money of more than Rs 7.40 crore besides trophies worth about Rs 30 lakh will be given away during the 28-day Hyderabad Monsoon Races, scheduled to commence here from Wednesday.
Last year, the stakes offered were Rs 6.71 crore while the trophies were worth Rs 21 lakh.
The blue-riband of the season will end on October 25. Golconda Textile Deccan Derby will be run on October 2.
The other stellar attraction of the season — The President of India Gold Cup — will be conducted on September 12.
Addressing a press conference, Hyderabad Race Club (HRC), chairman R. Surender Reddy on Tuesday said that this year also, the added money for the President of India Gold Cup (Grade I) is Rs 20 lakh. Whereas, the added prize purse for Deccan Derby (Grade I) is Rs 30 lakh, of which, Rs 15 lakh is being contributed by Golconda Textile Private Limited.
Mr Reddy said 21 ‘A’ licensed trainers at HRC with 764 horses including 212 two-year-olds will participate in the season.
Around 44 jockeys including 11 apprentice jockeys’ have been licensed to ride at Hyderabad. Also some of the leading out-station trainers/ jockeys are expected to participate in the classic/ graded races during the season, Mr Reddy added.
Mr Reddy said HRC has finalised plans for setting up new Off Course Tote Centres at Salarjung Colony and Towlichowki in Hyderabad, also in Guntur, Kakinada and Rajahmundry.
The HRC has renovated the Apprentice Jockeys Training School by providing spacious dormitory, dining hall, library, lecture hall etc., the only one of its kind in the country.
Renovation of two tier stables is also on, Mr Reddy informed.