Raising the profile of Indian bloodstock

Sohna Stud Farm near Delhi which is perhaps the youngest stud farm in the country has had a meteoric rise in Indian racing history. Started in the late 90's, the stud farm has already cut into the monopoly of established farms who have had a long history of domination of classics in India. The Sohna Stud Farm has now come to be recognized as a leading nursery in the country, with its produce making its presence felt all over the country. Attention to detail and eye for excellence are the reasons why Sohna has hit the gold patch.

Velvet Rope from Sohna Stud Farm hit national headlines by winning the coveted Gr 1 Indian Derby a few years ago. Since then, the stud farm is only growing in strength. The present highest rated three year old of Western India, Versaki has already established his credentials by winning the Gr 1 Poonawalla Breeders Multi Million and is headed for grater glory. The Proletarian, Great Investment, Velvet Rope, Alvarita, Petronella, Dynasty, Brahmaputra, Jacqueline, Sprint Star are some of the top horses of the stud farm which come readily to ones mind. The fashionably bred produce of the stud farm has caught the imagination of leading owners in the country so much so that the produce of the stud farm is lapped up with great enthusiasm as soon as the stud farm throws its door open for sale of its yearlings.

If the strength of the stud farm is in the meticulous purchase of pregnant mares mostly at Goff's Sale in Ireland, the stud farm has also been successful in raising the profile of Indian breeding by acquiring Novere as a stallion. Already the first crop of Novere is on ground and the fact that this year's French Derby winner La Havre was sired by Novere is great news for the stud farm. With the quality mares that it has at its command, Novere is all set to make his present felt on the Indian racing scenario. The progeny of Novere is sure to command a premium price when the yearlings come up for sale next year.

The strength of the stud farm is reflected by its mares, 75 percent of which are obtained from Europe. The stud farm has huge mare strength of 120. While 73 yearlings will be sold this year, the strength of next year yearlings will be close to 100. Out of this, 54 will be the produce of Novere, about 20 of Ontario. There are also 21 got abroad foals.

The Stud Farm is the brainchild of Sultan Singh and L N Thapar joined him as a partner in the formative years. After the death of L N Thapar, his nephew Gautam Thapar is a partner with Sultan Singh.

Sultan Singh is a keen race horse owner and naturally understands the needs of race horse owners which are reflected in the judicious selection of mares that suit Indian requirements which is mostly oriented towards sprinter milers.

The stud farm has been built on a solid foundation and Sohna Stud Farm is sure to take Indian breeding standards a notch higher. With Sohna Stud Farm raising the bar, the fledgling stud farms in the country have lessons to be learnt from the success story of the Haryana based stud farm.