Paddy, the trainer with magic touch

Sadakshara Reuben Padmanabhan has scaled the ladder dramatically in the last decade and he is now acknowledged as one of the best trainers on the Indian racing circuit. The trainer with an intellectual bent of mind, Padmanabhan has impressed all and sundry by the meticulous manner in which he has obtained optimum results from his wards as also for the manner in which he turns out his wards. Horses trained by Padmanabhan stand out in paddock parade for the glow that the horse carries thereby indicating the well being of the horse.

A trainer with a dash of adventurism, he has always attempted difficult tasks even it meant losing a great deal in the process. He was the first Indian trainer to race his horses in American and Dubai. He has also carried out breeding operations successfully. Today, Paddy as he is called has explored different fields and also shown his adeptness at selection of bloodstock. He has been a regular buyer for Indian breeders at the Goff�s Sales in Ireland and he was also responsible for the import of stallions like Royal Kingdom and Mid Town. 

Padmanabhan is easily the most recognizable Indian face for professionals at other parts of the world. He keeps track of international racing and also the pedigree trends which has helped him immensely in becoming an all rounder in the sport. He has a keen eye and he selects his horses with an uncanny knack which has enabled him to win a bagful of races from each of his wards. Never the one to be bothered about numbers, Padmanabhan has obtained maximum results from the string at his disposal. Today he is close to reaching the magical mark of winning 100 Graded races. Baring the Indian Derby which he missed winning on a few occasions, he has won every other big Derby that needs to be won including all the four other Indian classics, namely the Guineas, the Oaks and the Leger. He has also saddled winners in Stayers Cup, Sprinters Cup and Indian Turf Invitation Cup.

The success achieved by Padmanabhan has helped him getting in better quality horses in the last few years. His stock is well complimented by both pedigree and conformation and as such, his success in big races is bound to increase in the years to come.

Padmanabhan has also been fiercely independent which has not always won him admirers.