27 September,2015 11:34 AM IST | | Prakash Gosavi
Veteran jockey Shamu Chavan passed away at his home in Pune early morning on Saturday. He was 94
PUNE: Veteran jockey Shamu Chavan passed away at his home in Pune early morning on Saturday. He was 94.
Chavan, one of the greatest jockeys, was known as "Dada" in racing circles. He rode more than 1, 000 winners during his illustrated riding career which spanned over three decades, celebrating his 1,000th victory stride his home crowd of Mahalaxmi rail birds astride a horse called Silvery Moon.
Chavan, who ride three Indian Derby winners, used to ride for Maharaja Hari Singh Of Kashmir, the ever generous patron who presented two Mercedes-Benz cars to the Chavan family after one of the Derby victories. The star rider with humble origins thanked the king, but with his permission, sold the high end cars to raise money to build his own bunglow at Pune, where he breathed his last.
Chavan is survived by wife, son Suresh Chavan who was himself a former horse trainer, five daughters, and a number of grandchildren.
