A Stellar Return: Mumbai’s 2025–26 Horse Racing Season Takes Off
The prestigious Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) is all set to host the 2025–26 racing season at the historic Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Kicking off 27 November 2025, this year’s campaign promises to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory.
Originally scheduled for 23 November, the start was postponed by four days. The reason: unusually persistent rainfall had left the track damp and unsafe. The club decided to delay to ensure racing begins on a clean slate.
Season Format & Highlights
* Race Days
The calendar spans 26 race days over five months, from late November through to 12 April 2026.
* Big Feature Races
Some of the top events to look out for:
Indian 1000 Guineas – Sunday, 14 December 2025
Indian 2000 Guineas – Sunday, 21 December 2025
Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Oaks – Saturday, 10 January 2026
Villoo C. Poonawalla Indian Derby – Sunday, 1 February 2026 (the crown jewel)
Poonawalla Breeders’ Multi‑Million – Sunday, 22 February 2026
* Prize Money & Participation
Over ₹26 crore is estimated for the total prize pool this season, making it one of the richest in the country.
More than 710 horses are expected to participate, including a strong lineup of outstation entries and international jockeys.
* Evenings & Fan Experience
Uniquely, the season will feature floodlit evening meetings, offering a spectacular backdrop against the Mumbai skyline and catering to both racing aficionados and broader audiences.
Latest Update: Readiness & Arrivals
Horses have already begun arriving at the Mahalaxmi stables. As of 20 November 2025, around 178 horses had moved in from the preceding Pune circuit, with approximately 800 expected in total.
Trainers report morning workouts to commence shortly now that the weather has stabilised and the track prep is nearly complete.
A ban remains in place on horses from certain regions (notably Hyderabad) following health concerns in past seasons.
The full race-day schedule is public:
November: 27, 30
December: 4, 7, 14, 21, 28
January 2026: 4, 10, 18, 21, 31
February: 1, 8, 12, 15, 22
March: 6, 13, 15, 22, 29
April: 4, 5, 11, 12
What to Watch For
How major stables plan their campaigns for the key feature races, especially the Derby.
Whether the evening meetings draw larger, more diverse crowds (beyond traditional bettors).
The performance of “outstation” horses vs local runners — more open fields this year.
The impact of improved infrastructure and track conditions after the delayed start.
Why This Season Matters
For decades, the Mumbai season at Mahalaxmi has been a barometer for Indian flat-racing. With prize money rising and international interest growing, this edition is poised to reinforce Mumbai’s primacy in the sport. The blend of tradition (heritage races), modernity (evening lights), and scale (hundreds of runners) makes this a marquee event on the Indian sporting calendar.
