INDIA: Ageing Jockey Steers Colt To Derby Victory

MUMBAI (The Indian Express), February 3, 2008: It was that kind of day when a 70-year-old wept like a child while a 48-year-old wasn’t embarrassed to prance around like a teenager. Septuagenarian trainer Saeed Shah and ageing jockey Mick Kinane had their last high at the Indian Derby more than two decades back. But today at the Indian Derby the lightning legs of four-year-old Colt Hotstepper saw the old hands hold the silverware again. The new millennium jinx of the favourite being snubbed did continue as Bourbon King finished fourth but Hotstepper’s triumph broke ‘old’ myths. This meant the Shah-Kinane combination was the oldest to make it to the top of the podium in this millennium. By Shailendra Awasthi © 2008 Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai) Ltd.