Allan bags another local Grade 1 as Padmanabhan secures Classics century

There was more local Grade 1 glory for David Allan in India last week as Indian Pharaoh secured a century of Classic winners for trainer Sadakshara Padmanabhan in the Golconda Derby.

Padmanabhan won his first Classic with Golden Fantasy in the Mysore 1,000 Guineas in 1991 and bred four-year-old Indian Pharaoh, who sealed the landmark success with a convincing win at Hyderabad on Sunday.

The son of Excellent Art is out of mare Running Flame – an Indian 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner for Padmanabhan in the late 90s – who was also the dam of Desert God, a six-time local Grade 1 winner, including in the Indian Derby under Allan for the stable in 2015.

Desert God, India's highest stakes money earner, contested two handicaps at Meydan in 2017 before failing to win in seven starts in Britain during a stint with Richard Hughes. The seven-year-old has since returned to Padmanabhan and won three local Grade 2 races last year.

Padmanabhan said: “It was fantastic to win our 100th Indian Classic and great that David [Allan] was on board – he’s the most successful foreign jockey in the history of racing in India and a great rider.

“Indian Pharaoh is related to Desert God, who we've enjoyed many great days with. Sadly he didn’t handle the conditions in England but he's come back and won three Grade 2 races for us."

David Allan and the unbeaten 'Indian Frankel' bidding for Derby

Allan bids for a fourth Indian Derby success aboard the Padmanabhan-trained Sir Cecil, named after late legendary Newmarket trainer Sir Henry Cecil and described as the ‘Indian Frankel’ by the jockey, in the Classic contest at Mumbai on Sunday.

Padmanabhan said: “Sir Cecil is in very good form and we’re all looking forward to Sunday. I’m hoping he can win.”

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