Sindhi and Marwari horses to race in the city on February 1

SURAT : The diamond city residents are set to witnessed first of its kind horse racing event on February 1.
Horse lovers from across Gujarat state and neighbouring states of Rajasthan and Maharashtra will descended at the serene location close to the Arabian sea at Lavacha village near Dandi in Olpaad taluka, some 20 kilometers away from the city, to witness and participate in the first ever horse race event.
The city-based Pavan Group, an association of the horse-keepers, has organised a range of horse racing events including single footing race (ravaal chaal), gallop and race for the jockeys under 19 years of age.
Around 150 horses of three different breeds-Kathiawari, Sindhi and Marwari-from various places like Rajasthan, Kutch, Bhuj, Navsari, Bharuch, Surat, Mehsana, Ahmedabad, Valsad and districts from Maharashtra will participate in the racing event.
Piyush Patel, founder member of Pavan group, who will participate with his four horses of Sindhi and Kathiawari breeds says, "This is first time that the event has been organised on a much bigger scale. Along with the racing event, a fair has been organised for the horse lovers to choose and buy quality breeds from Rajasthan, Kutch and Bhuj"
Ismail Patel, another member of Pavan Group says, "We have specially prepared a kutcha road for the event in order to avoid accidents. Earlier, we used to hold horse races on the tar roads, where the horses could skid easily injuring the jockey severely. This horse race is going to be a big one in terms of number of horses participating".