By Punters Mind
Monsoon Skies to Hover Victoria Memory Halls
Monsoon Magic Getting Ready In RCTC
After four long, rain-starved months, the city of joy is about to feel the heartbeat of the turf again. Kolkata’s famed monsoon racing season returns this Tuesday, promising two months of action, passion, and nail-biting finishes. With top trainers sharpening their strings, jockeys ready to paint the rails, and rising stars ready to sparkle, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC) is bracing for a storm – not just of rain, but of roaring hooves and wild emotions.
A New Season, A Renewed Pulse
For turfites in Kolkata, the silence on the racecourse has felt eternal. But now, the gates are set to spring open once again. The Kolkata Monsoon Racing Season 2025 gallops off this Tuesday and concludes on Sunday, September 28, just before the Durga Puja festivities take over the city.
Vice-President of Racing, Amit Chaturvedi, shared a spirited update that lifted many racing hearts:
“The monsoon track is in fine fettle. Contrary to what many think, it performs better after a few showers. With strong fields and enthusiastic participation from trainers, it promises to be a marvellous season.”
Indeed, with a track that thrives on wet weather and a calendar peppered with exciting contests, there’s every reason for punters, fans, and connections to circle their calendars.
Money, Glory, and Monsoon Madness
This season, over Rs 3.86 crores in prize money and cups worth Rs 4.95 lakh will be up for grabs. That’s not all — horses trained by ‘A’ licensed trainers get a 20% bonus on all non-sweepstakes races. A total of 61 races across 10 race days await punters. The grand finale will feature the prestigious Calcutta Monsoon Derby and the Monsoon Cup on September 28.
With 207 horses already stabled at RCTC under 20 trainers, and more expected to arrive, the turf is alive and brimming with expectation.
Trainers to Strike Early
The early part of the season is often when savvy punters strike gold — especially when guided by form and stable whispers. And this time, several trainers look primed to hit the ground running.
Look no further than Rutherford Alford, Aashay Doctor, B Mahesh, Vikash Jaiswal, and Patrick Quinn. Their strings are humming, and they’ve been working horses with intent. The young blood — Neil Darashah and B Rajendra Reddy — also look eager to make a mark.
One can’t forget veterans like Bharath Singh, who know the RCTC track like the back of their hand and often come alive in the monsoons. Expect some upsets, a few bold rides, and perhaps a fairytale or two.
Jockeys: The Stars in the Saddle
A good horse needs a smart rider — and Kolkata is set to welcome the best in the business. P Trevor, Yash Narredu, A Sandesh, Imran Chisty, Arul J H, Vivek G, and R Vaibhav will be seen at various points this season, each bringing their own rhythm and instinct to the rainswept track.
When Trevor crouches low in the final 100 metres, when Sandesh launches that surprise rail run, or when Yash throws his heart into a wide sweep — expect the grandstands (and living rooms) to erupt.
Horses That Could Own the Season
Punters love names that deliver. And this season, a few names have already created buzz.
- Pantazi – a Bangalore summerer with raw potential
- Meropi – lightly raced, with a turn of foot
- Trakila – solid on the gallops, Derby whispers abound
- Vincent Van Gogh – a colt that can paint the final furlong with flair
- Liban – progressive and well-prepped
- Lady Sunshine – a filly with class in her stride
- Kyoto – swift, smart, and schooling well
- Snowpiercer – may cut through the pack when least expected
All these names have shown flashes of brilliance — some at trackwork, others in past performances — and are definitely worth watching.
Rain, Romance, and Racing Dreams
There’s something poetic about racing in the rain. The glisten of water on the saddle, the echo of hooves on wet earth, and the sighs of punters who either celebrate wildly or watch their slips drown in despair.
This Kolkata monsoon season will not just be about winners and losers. It will be about gut feelings, loyalty to old favourites, last-minute hunches, and the turf gods who reward the brave. It’s a time when a no-hoper may rise, a star may fall, and punters may scream, cry, or laugh all in one afternoon.
As the rains come and the turf breathes again, racing returns not just to the calendar — but to the soul.
