Zavaray S. Poonawalla.
| Photo Credit: File photo: K. Murali Kumar
Zavaray S. Poonawalla, a leading racehorse owner and breeder, is set to receive the ‘Legend of Indian Horse Racing Award’ from the Turf Authorities of India (TAI) at the Racing Excellence Awards ceremony on October 24. The ceremony will be held during the Indian Turf Invitation Cup Weekend, of which he is the principal sponsor.
Proposed by the Mysore Race Club and unanimously approved by the TAI chairman, the award recognises his decades-long contribution to Indian racing, whether as a breeder, owner, sponsor or benefactor.
He has helped the sport through difficult financial periods. In 2022, when the Royal Western India Turf Club was struggling in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, he contributed towards prize money to help maintain competitive stakes. He has also made representations to the government against the heavy GST burden on racing.
More recently, he introduced a shared-sponsorship initiative with the turf clubs and provided financial support to the Bangalore Turf Club to help protect stakes amid falling revenues.
Published – October 22, 2026 08:49 pm IST
