{{Short description|Horse racing track in Mumbai, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox racecourse | Name = Mahalaxmi Racecourse | Image =280px | Website = http://www.rwitc.com/comeracing/mumbairacecourse.php | Location = Mahalaxmi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India | Coordinates = {{Coord|18.984|N|72.82|E|display=inline,title}} | Owner = Government of Maharashtra<ref name="hindustantimes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/State-may-renew-racecourse-lease/Article1-1075438.aspx |title=State may renew racecourse lease - Hindustan Times |access-date=2013-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614081934/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/mumbai/State-may-renew-racecourse-lease/Article1-1075438.aspx |archive-date=2013-06-14 }}</ref> | Operator = Royal Western India Turf Club | Opened = 1883 | Channel = | CourseType = | NotableRaces = McDowell's Indian Derby | Prev = | Next = }}
The '''Mahalaxmi Racecourse''' is a horse racing track in Mahalaxmi neighbourhood of Mumbai. The track is oval shaped with {{convert|2400|m}} straight chute, spread over approximately {{convert|225|acre|km2 sqmi}} of open land in the heart of Mumbai city. It was created out of a marshy land known as Mahalakshmi Flats. It was built in 1883 and the stands were modelled on the Randwick Racecourse in Sydney in 1922 by Sydney architect and racing administrator Theodore John Marks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theo Marks Stakes |url=https://www.australianturfclub.com.au/theo-marks-theo-marks-stakes/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=www.australianturfclub.com.au}}</ref> It is spread over land facing the sea.
The racecourse was originally donated by Sir Cusrow N Wadia and today it is on lease from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to Royal Western India Turf Club which runs the racecourse. The Grandstand, off the course, is a designated heritage structure.<ref name="wr">{{cite web|url=http://www.rwitc.com/comeracing/mumbairacecourse.php|title=The Mahalaxmi Race Course|publisher=Royal Western India Turf Club|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=25 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140625050537/http://rwitc.com/comeracing/mumbairacecourse.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/civic-body-issues-eviction-notice-to-turf-cl/619035/|title=Civic body issues eviction notice to Turf Club|date=8 May 2010|work=Indian Express|access-date=29 December 2010|archive-date=3 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803142213/https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/civic-body-issues-eviction-notice-to-turf-club/|url-status=live}}</ref> The racecourse is the only helipad open for civilian use in South Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|last=V|first=Manju|title=Drive to Juhu or main airport only route left|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-28/mumbai/29824324_1_helipad-mahalaxmi-helicopters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019161602/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-28/mumbai/29824324_1_helipad-mahalaxmi-helicopters|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 October 2013|access-date=7 November 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=28 July 2011}}</ref>
==Overview== {{More citations needed|date=September 2014}} [[File:Jockey B.Prakash on Fractious Fav Secret Memory.JPG|thumb|left|180px|Jockey B. Prakash on Fractious Fav Secret Memory.]] The horse racing season starts in mid-November and ends in the last week of April. On the first Sunday in February, the Indian Derby is conducted annually and is attended by many of the city's glitterati. Between 1984 and 2022, the Derby was sponsored by liquor baron Vijay Mallya's UB Group under the name of flagship company McDowells Co. Ltd. as The McDowell's Indian Derby.
The common Mumbaikar has access to the racecourse in the mornings and evenings during specified timings for exercising, walking or jogging in the inner lane of the main horse race track. The racecourse has also transformed many common Mumbaikars to Marathoners. Yoga sessions akin to tai chi are conducted in the garden situated within the race-track during the common permissible timings, akin to "Happy Valley Racecourse" in Hong Kong. Lessons for horse-riding are also provided by Amateurs Riders Club. In the evenings, dogs are also allowed to be walked, but one has to check the permissibility. On weekends it is common to find Aero-Modelling hobbyists flying planes on the polo ground, performing aerial acrobats with motorised radio-controlled planes during non-racing days. The ground is also used as a heli-pad. Lately, they have even started with providing newspapers in the morning to the joggers.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}
== 99-year lease debate == The land on which the racetrack sits was leased to the Royal Western India Turf Club for 99 years, ended in 31 May 2013.<ref name="The Hindu">{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sena-eyes-race-course-land-for-bal-thackerays-memorial/article4712044.ece | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | first1=Vinayak | last1=Zodge | first2=Alok | last2=Deshpande | title=Sena eyes race course land for Bal Thackeray's memorial | date=13 May 2013 | access-date=12 July 2013 | archive-date=9 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709044949/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/sena-eyes-race-course-land-for-bal-thackerays-memorial/article4712044.ece | url-status=live }}</ref>
Some people feel the land should be converted into a public park.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/central-park-dreams-trigger-a-battle-in-mumbai/ | work=The New York Times | first=Vaishnavi | last=Chandrashekhar | title=Central Park Dreams Trigger a Battle in Mumbai | date=13 June 2013 | access-date=12 July 2013 | archive-date=19 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619065510/http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/13/central-park-dreams-trigger-a-battle-in-mumbai/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Others are sceptical about the park plan and feel it will become full of slums and encroachments.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1839504/report-don-t-hurry-turf-club-renewal-activists-on-mahalaxmi-race-course|title=Don't hurry turf club renewal: Activists on Mahalaxmi race course {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2013-05-26|work=dna|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-US|archive-date=9 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609020452/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1839504/report-don-t-hurry-turf-club-renewal-activists-on-mahalaxmi-race-course|url-status=live}}</ref>
The state government favours leasing out the racecourse for another 30 years.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/>
It is currently leased for Rs 56 lakh/year.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/> The new rates will be Rs 42 crore/year and increase every 5 years.<ref name="hindustantimes.com"/>
=== Arguments for maintaining the racecourse === * It currently employs 5000 people.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1843893/report-park-on-racecourse-will-render-5000-jobless|title=Park on racecourse will render 5,000 jobless {{!}} Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=2013-06-05|work=dna|access-date=2018-06-04|language=en-US|archive-date=8 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608211537/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1843893/report-park-on-racecourse-will-render-5000-jobless|url-status=live}}</ref> * The state government collects Rs. 50 crore/year in betting tax from the 43 race days.<ref name="The Hindu"/> *The Turf club maintains entire land including the walking and jogging track at no cost to the BMC or state government.<ref name="The Hindu"/> * The lawns are rented out for weddings and other outdoor events.<ref name="The Hindu"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Mahalaxmi Racecourse}} * [http://www.rwitc.com/comeracing/mumbairacecourse.php Mahalaxmi Racecourse, webpage] at ''Royal Western India Turf Club''
{{Mumbai topics}} {{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}
Category:Horse racing venues in India Category:Sports venues in Mumbai Category:1883 establishments in India Category:Tourist attractions in Mumbai