When you cross by Guindy you simply can’t miss the old world feeling that part of town boasts off. The freshly cut grass, horses galloping in the track fields, lingering smell of dung.A little part of Madras has latched on to guindy despite the sea of change it has undergone.
The Madras Race club at guindy was officially constituted in 1837, but its origins go back to 1777, when 81 cawnies of land were granted by the government to conduct races. The land was taken from the Adyar villages of Venkatapuram and Velacheri. The first race meet in the country was held around 1760 on the island grounds.
Racing became irregular and almost stopped soon because of the siege by Hyder Ali. A few years later, 35 cawnies were added and two race courses came up to train horses and to watch the races.
The club functioned till 1875 and then went through a tough phase and the club was finally revived in 1887. In the 1900s racing continued, but on a low key. World War I brought it to a temporary halt.In 1920, the first stands were built out of the generosity of two indian princes.
In 1931, the Guindy Lodge was built in the club premises for the secretary and in 1933, the weighing room was constructed. In 1966, the MRC became an independent turf authority. After 1985, the Government took over racing and this lasted a decade.
The club now has about 625 horses in station, three stands and boasts of the best race track in the country. The racing season begins in November and goes on till March after which races are conducted in Ooty between April and June. A monsoon season has been introduced with races being conducted between August and October.
Photo: Hinduimage Archive.
Source: The Hindu | S.Muthiah | Madras Rediscovered.
Madein Madras 