BENGALURU: An illustrious era in Indian horse racing came to an end on Saturday with the passing of former champion trainer Rashid Byramji here. The 88-year-old, who attended the Winter Derby on Wednesday, died peacefully at home.
A genial man, whose passion for horses is among Indian racing’s folklore, Rashid grew up amongst horses with his grandfather Byramji Rustomji and father Rustomji Byramji both being trainers. A man of many firsts, Byramji earned his trainer's licence in 1955 at the age of 21. In January the following year, the Mumbai-raised youngster won his maiden race, training SA Poonawalla-owned Lingmala to victory. He moved to Bengaluru in 1965.
