Day of the Groom

They are the ones who prepare the horses for the race,but rarely get any recognition. This time it was different.

Unlike the other inhabitants of the world of horse racing – the owners,the trainers and the jockeys,they skeet under the radar owing to the simplicity and humbleness associated with their work. The grooms,who take care of the horses and their stables,are probably one of the least-appreciated people in the horse racing community. Taking care of the horses,cleaning the stables,providing for horsefeed and also massaging them before and after the races – they do it all. Interestingly,they are the ones who take care of the most important component of the racing business – the horses. And they rarely get any recognition,because everything is lapped up by the owners and the trainers, says horse-owner Khushro Jalnawala.

Last week,Jalnawala gave away four motorcycles to the grooms of the winning horses during the KA Jalnawala Trophy and two other races sponsored by him. A fourth bike was given away to the groom of the most well-maintained horse. He says,Their work also needs to be recognised. Most of them come from very poor backgrounds and it will take them a long time to own a bike. Giving away these gifts helps make them feel appreciated. It is also a big boost to the dignity of labour involved in their work.

Vinayak Gaonkar,an assistant to trainer Narendra Lagad,says,Events like these are a one-off feature. In fact,this is the first time that the work of grooms or Syce,as they are called,has been recognised. They barely get any attention. Of course,they do get medical facilities and lodging during the event,but in many ways,their world is still disjointed from that of the actual race.

Sudhakar Ingule,who won a bike for the most well-groomed horse,says,For us,a normal day begins at 4.30am. We take the horses for a walk around the race course,bring them back,bathe and feed them and even massage them. Since horses rarely sit down and their weight needs to be balanced on their slender legs,we condition their calf muscles and help them with stretching exercises to keep them fit.” Ingale won the bike for the horse Mighty Crusader,which is owned by Chetak Horse Racing Pvt Ltd.

Gaonkar says the grooms earn Rs 5500-Rs 6,000 a month. The permanent ones earn Rs 6,000 while those under contract earn around Rs 4,000. Ingule adds that he,along with six other permanent grooms,manage 92 horses on a daily basis. We have hired help too. We look after these horses as our own children because at the end of the day,they help us earn our bread, he says.

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Horse racing