Veteran racehorse trainer Syed S. Shah, 88, passed away on Sunday (June 28) morning at a city hospital here.
He suffered a stroke about 15 days ago and remained in critical condition for the last three days.
Shah secured his trainer’s license in 1969 and went on to dedicate more than five decades to the sport, becoming one of the most respected names in horse racing.
He retired from his illustrious 55-year-long career at the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) on March 23, 2025.
He learned the basics of training from his elder brother, the late S.M. Shah. Following his guidance, Shah trained horses for several renowned owners, building a strong reputation.
Trainer Syed S. Shah.
His first major success came in 1973 when his horse Mansoor caused a big upset by winning the Indian Derby.
In a memorable moment, Mansoor defeated the favourite Bade Miya, trained by his own brother S.M. Shah.
Over the years, Shah trained more than 900 winners. One of his finest achievements came in 2008 when he won the Indian Derby with Hotstepper, 35 years after his first Derby success.
He followed it up with another Derby victory in 2009 with Antonios, completing a remarkable back-to-back double and firmly establishing his legacy in Indian racing.
Published – June 28, 2026 06:20 pm IST
