Horse racing: Trainer Pesi Shroff on a record-breaking spree

Pesi Shroff, as horse trainer, set more records in the last one week than he set in his entire career as a jockey.
He won 10 races at the Mahalaxmi racetrack; led in 14 winners on three race cards at two different racing centres spread over only four days; led in, as winners, the first five horses saddled by him for a fresh season, won the maximum number of races (six) on one card in western India, and became the first trainer at Mahalaxmi for whom foreign riders rode 10 straight winners!

MiD DAY caught up with the record-breaking trainer for an exclusive interview.
Excerpts

Ten winners this week... surprised?
Make that 14, if you don't mind (smiles). I also had four winners on Saturday at Kolkata.

Are your horses on some new feed?
No, it's actually a supplement, and it's spelt as L.U.C.K.. Neither my horses nor I had it in such spells earlier (laughs again).

Surely this must be the best week of your training career?
Undoubtedly! Like I told you last week, such feats are scripted by destiny more than us mortals. The horses, the owners, the jocks I think everyone's luck has to combine at the same time to create such record-breaking a feat. I'm happy to be blessed but I know it's not going to be easy to keep the momentum. In racing, luck changes quicker than you think.

All your 10 winners were ridden by foreign jockeys. Did you pick them for your owners?
No, my owners picked them, I had no say in their selection. And I don't think we should think too much of this Indian and foreign angle so many of our boys have ridden winners for me.

What sort of instructions do you give your jockeys?
I simply tell them what I think my horse likes and leave the rest to them. But in the race, it's their call.

Which of your horses will figure in the forthcoming Classics?
Jacqueline, Cabriolet and Astral Flash. Onassis has run a very good race this week.

You seem very determined to regain the championship...
It's nice to win it, but it's not a top-of-the-mind issue for me. I don't think too much about it. I only want my horses to do well and win as many races as possible.