MP equine deaths blow lid off plan for IPL-style horse races
HYDERABAD: The eight race horses that died allegedly due to malnutrition in Jabalpur recently were trained in Hyderabad to participate in an IPL-style horse racing league - Horse Power Sports League (HPSL) - sources said.
According to them, these were among approximately 100 animals owned and trained by HithaNet India Pvt Ltd that participated in trials conducted earlier this year. The league, conceptualised by Hyderabad-based technocrat Suresh Paladugu, was supposed to be held across multiple cities in India, with support from various race clubs.
Speaking to TOI, Paladugu, while denying any direct connection to the Jabalpur incident, said that pilots of the league were telecast at different locations across the globe, including the Philippines.
"The idea was to move horse racing from betting-style to entertainment style like IPL," Paladugu said, adding that he approached Hyderabad Racing Club (HRC) for a stable and track for the league. "I don't own any of the horses. They are owned, fed, and taken care of by HithaNet. My responsibility is limited to providing technical, streaming support and deal with clubs," he said.
Sources said HithaNet decided to shift its horses to Jabalpur since the league is on hold.
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"Paladugu's concept couldn't attract any major sponsors. He wanted to telecast two-horse races, which would be easy to understand even for a layman, and turn it into a profitable business. That way, it could benefit local breed horses as well," said a source.
While confirming this, HithaNet officials said they chose Jabalpur because the firm has other businesses, such as farming, there. "Also, our lease with HRC had ended, so we needed a different place to keep our horses," said Pavani Gaddam, authorised signatory of the company, maintaining that all the animals were in "good health" at the time of being shifted.
"We transported the horses by road and followed all due processes," she added.
When asked if the horses will be brought back to Hyderabad if HPSL is launched, she said there is no decision on it. "It is not necessary that the horses are used only for racing. They can be used for breeding, polo, movies, etc. We can also sell them," Gaddam said.
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