By Aparajita Gupta
Kolkata, Nov 14 (IANS) There was a time when the Kolkata Race Course was the place to be seen every weekend. In the last couple of decades that became a distant memory as the crowds drifted away with the flight of big business out of this metropolis. But with the state’s financial situation somewhat improving, crowds are back and the 189-year-old course is galloping to runaway growth.

“About three-four years back the RCTC (Royal Calcutta Turf Club) was down and out. Today we have recovered to a large extent through our concerted efforts,” RCTC chief executive officer Lt. Gen. (retd) J.R. Mukherjee told IANS.

Mukherjee said with a large number of companies in the state downing their shutters during the 1980s and 90s, many of the regulars stayed off the course as they lacked money to put on horses. But with the state embracing information technology in a big way and the overall financial scene somewhat improving over the last few years, some people now do have the surplus cash to indulge in the sport.

Mukherjee said the number of horses has gone up from 300 to over 600 now and competition is more intense. “Racing has become more competitive now. Its popularity has increased,” he said.

After renovation, the 153-acre race course now has a stable capacity for 700 horses.

On an average, around 5,000-6,000 spectators take their place in the 30,000 capacity galleries on any racing day. On big days the number swells to 15,000-20,000. The races are viewed through satellite across all the race courses in the country.

Horse racing in India started from Kolkata, when this race course was established in 1820. The course was initially frequented by Britons and the elite among the Indians. Once upon a time it was the headquarters for all the race courses across India.

Claiming that going to the races is not synonymous with gambling as perceived in some conservative quarters, Mukherjee said: “Racing is not gambling. It is a ‘game of skill’ according to a Supreme Court ruling. One needs to do a lot of homework before betting over any horse. And with proper study 60-70 percent times the bidder wins.”

A few years ago, then city mayor Subrata Mukherjee wanted to shift the race course from the heart of the city. Mukherjee, now West Bengal Pradesh Congress working president, still sticks to his stand.

“The race course should be shifted to the outskirts of Kolkata in an area like Rajarhat (northeastern fringes of the city) without delay. And the authorities should construct a stadium for more popular games like football where the RCTC stands now. There is no point keeping such a huge area for a race course in the heart of the city,” he told IANS.

However, RCTC authorities are confident that the race course, with a turnover of Rs.100 crore, is all set to grow.

“We expect it to grow by 10 percent each year. People come here to enjoy the sport. This is another form of entertainment,” the CEO said.

The cold weather racing season is from November to April. Then there is a gap of 40-45 days during summer, following which the races resume during monsoon.

The lush green race course is divided into five tracks with a helipad, polo ground, golf course and a serpentine lake in between.

Around 6,000 people are employed in the race course alongside 5,000 others doing related jobs.

In India, there are race courses in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow and Ooty. Apart from these there are small race courses in Jorhat and Shillong.

(Aparajita Gupta can be contacted at aparajita.g@ians.in)