Royal Western India Turf Club
Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, presently run by RWITC
Royal Western India Turf Club Ltd.(RWITC) is an exclusive Indian sports club, into horse racing, established in 1800, which runs the Mahalaxmi Racecourse in Mumbai, and the Pune Race Course.[1]
History
The Royal Western India Turf Club has a history spanning just over two centuries. It conducts racing at Mumbai'sMahalaxmi Racecourse (from November to April), including the Indian Derby in February and Pune (from July to October), while Delhi races under its Rules.
Its first meeting was held 10-11 January 1798, with two plates run in heats. Breakfast was served on the high grounds opposite Colonel Jones’ house and Captain G. Hall saluted the last race with fifteen guns.
Captain G. Hall, Sir Charles Forbes, A. Campbell, P. Hadow and others formed the Bombay Turf Club in 1802 and they acquired land in Byculla to conduct racing; the balcony of the clubhouse was used as a private stand for the Members. Shortly thereafter the name was changed to the Western India Turf Club.
For the major part of the nineteenth century, racing continued to be held at Byculla until in 1883 the venue was shifted to Mahalakshmi on land made available by Sir C N Wadia. The race course was originally built under the direction and supervision of Major J E Hughes.
During this time Calcutta held the upper hand in Indian racing, but as the twentieth century dawned, Bombay became the "City of Gold."
The first running of the Eclipse Stakes of India in 1923 gave Bombay a race to rival the Viceroy’s Cup. New stands were commissioned in 1925 and then in 1935, King George V bestowed the privilege of prefixing the club’s name with "Royal." The club also featured other royal dignitaries such as the Queen of England, the Shah of Iran, and the King of Saudi Arabia[2]. In 1943 the first Indian Classics were run and when 21 years later the Indian Turf Invitation Cup came into being, Mahalakshmi was the chosen venue for its first running
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