MUMBAI: As the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) is set to hold a race, Kheem Singh Gold Cup, to honour the legendary rider Kheem Singh on Sunday, it is time to remember the great rider who broke the foreign riders’ domination on the Indian Derby when he guided Chandulal Shah-owned colt, favourite Balam, to a fighting victory on February 5, 1948 to become the first Indian jockey to win the coveted race. He beat Prince Of Ramgarh by a neck.
A true saddle artist, he also won four Indian Oaks, three Indian 1000 Guineas and 2000 Guineas and Indian St. Leger once each in his riding career, from 1940 to 1959.
Kheem Singh in fact opened the gates for the Indian riders in the races in India which were dominated by foreign jockeys. Kheem Singh was the first Indian rider, besides Uttam Singh, to enroll at the jockey school at RWITC in 1939. He was also the first to complete an apprenticeship with 30 wins to become a full jockey in 1940.
As an apprentice, he was selected by legendary trainer A L J Talib. Throughout his riding career spanning from 1940 to 1959, he rode only for Talib which is a unique feature in itself.
He received many lucrative offers to ride from the royal stables, but he remained loyal to Talib as he was the one to have given him a break. An Excellent example of faithfulness, grit and character.
He was probably the only Jockey to have won two races in one single race day on the same horse called Camisole, which may be a world record.
Several times, he was a leading jockey and created a record in 1948-1949 by riding 42 winners in a season consisting of about 22 racing days in Mumbai.
He rode in Sri Lanka and also accompanied Balam to London.
After he retired in 1960, Kheem Singh became a trainer. For his excellent understanding of the horses, RWITC gave him a trainers’ license the day he retired as a jockey in 1960.
In the subsequent Mumbai racing season of 1961-62, he went on to beat his mentor Talib for the trainers’ championship.
Kheem Singh later won one Indian 1000 Guineas as trainer when his filly River Haven won in 1967.
After giving up training in 1975, Kheem Singh became a stipe at RWITC and held his position for the next 15 years.
