Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby will be highlight of Pune racing season
The Royal Western India Turf Club has announced the schedule for the 2026 Pune racing season, featuring 21 race days and significant prize money. The season includes prestigious events like the Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby.
Why it matters
The racing season is a major economic and cultural event for the region, involving significant sponsorship and professional participation.
The 2026 Pune racing season is set to commence on July 17 and will continue until November 15, as per the official prospectus released by the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC).
The season will be conducted over 21 race days spread across four months, with total prize money of ₹14 crore. With a well-structured programme in place, this year’s season promises high-quality racing and strong participation.
The highlight of the season will be the prestigious Villoo C. Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr. 1), which carries a rich purse of ₹1 crore, making it the most coveted race of the season.
Another major attraction is the Indian St. Leger (Gr. 1), regarded as the ultimate test of stamina in Indian racing, with prize money of ₹75 lakh.
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