Hyderabad racing has lost one of its towering architects. Leo D`Silva (66), was a rare talent who excelled both as a jockey and later as a trainer—passed away on Sunday in his sleep after bravely battling a kidney ailment for four years. A record-smashing number of times as a champion trainer with over 1,800 winners, he dominated the Hyderabad turf like few ever have. His sudden passing comes at a time when the sport is already reeling: Glanders has halted Hyderabad racing, Chennai`s season has been frozen mid-stream, and stalwarts are departing one after another. After the recent losses of former champion jockey Aslam Kader, master trainer S Padmanabhan, and renowned breeder Sultan Singh, the death of Leo D`Silva feels like yet another painful blow to an already bruised and grieving racing fraternity.

Leo D`Silva was that rare breed who mastered both sides of the saddle. First as a jockey, beginning his career in the 70s, he became a dominant force at Hyderabad. Championships rolled in with comforting regularity and soon “Leo” became less a name and more an institution. His smooth transition to training in 1991 only amplified the legend. What followed was an astonishing, unmatched run: 25 championship titles, a record that may well stand untouched for generations. More than 1,800 winners, several classic performers, and a long line of horses whose careers he elevated through sheer horsemanship and instinct.

He was shrewd, sharp, and uncannily skilled at bringing out the best in his wards; whether it was engineering a well-timed gamble or coaxing a modest horse into punching far above its weight. For two decades, his dominance at Malakpet was absolute. He won the Gr 1 Poonawalla Multi-Million and the Gr 1 Sprinters Cup with the brilliant Corfe Castle, a testament to his ability to prepare a horse to the minute. He even completed the rare double by sending out the winners of both the Guines through Livermore and Huntingdon just two years ago. One of his horses Coral Gables was a prolific performer with 32 career wins. He saddled about 40 classic and graded race winners.

Despite battling a kidney ailment for four years, Leo never allowed adversity to blunt his competitive edge. Only last monsoon, he was still sending out winners with his trademark precision. Hyderabad commentator Shiva Prasad recalled that barely a day before his passing, Leo had spoken cheerfully of visiting Vailankanni, famous for Lady of Good Health Church, a trip he was genuinely looking forward to. He had also attended the recent auction sales, proving yet again that he remained, till the very end, ever the horseman and ever committed to his craft.

His sudden passing due to cardiac arrest has left the racing fraternity stunned.

In his younger days in Mumbai, Leo was a sportsman who loved hockey before turning his passion fully towards racing. In Bangalore`s summer seasons he was a familiar, friendly presence, quietly sharpening his string before returning to Hyderabad to unleash them with devastating effect during the monsoon and winter campaigns.

Trainer Anant Vatsalya summed it up simply and perfectly: “Leo D`Silva enjoyed a legendary status for his achievements both as a jockey and a trainer. His death is a big loss to the industry. He was truly a legend.”

Indeed, Hyderabad racing will miss his towering presence, his craft, his discipline, and the quiet confidence with which he ruled its turf for half a century.

A champion in the saddle.
A champion with the saddle.
And, most of all, a champion in spirit.