Kunigal stud farm

Kunigal stud farm is a stud farm located in the town of Kunigal in the Indian state of Karnataka. This farm is used for breeding horses mainly for racing and is the oldest stud farm in India. The history of this farm can be traced back to the times of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Srirangapatna who used it to breed horses for his cavalry to fight against the British.cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Can_CM_save_Kunigal_farm/rssarticleshow/2107658.cms|work=Online Edition of The Times of India, dated 2007-06-08|author=Anil Kumar M|title=Can CM save Kunigal farm?|accessdate=2007-08-22]

History

The farm was created by Tipu Sultan for breeding horses for his wars. After his death, the farm was used by the British Army to breed horses, mainly Arabian horses for their cavalry regiments.cite web|url=http://www.kunigalstud.com/IndexStud.htm|title=Kunigal Stud Farm - History|work=Online webpage of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders|accessdate=2007-08-22] In 1886, the farm also housed "Pero Gomez", the first-ever thoroughbred stallion to be imported into India. Subsequently, the horses were also bred for racing and these horses started to challenge the supremacy of horses imported from United Kingdom and Australia as well. In 1948, the farm was transferred under the control of the Government of Mysore state. In 1992, the Government of Karnataka leased the farm to the industrialist Vijay Mallya's race horse division of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders (URBB).

tud Farm

The farm is spread across convert|400|acre|km2|1 and is divided into 25 paddocks of different sizes. Good pasture is maintained and plants needed for fodder like Alfalfa, Green oats and Rhodes grass are grown here.cite web|url=http://www.kunigalstud.com/Facilities.htm|title=Kunigal Stud Farm - Facilities|work=Online webpage of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders|accessdate=2007-08-22] Training facilities for horses including a riding school is present in the farm. The farm also contains a water purification plant and medical care for horses are provided by veterinarians.

Horses

Vijay Mallya has imported many stallions from abroad which are housed in the farm. The first stallion to be imported was "Bold Russian" who had won many races in the United Kingdom and the U.S.A. "Brave Act" and "Tejano" are other prominent stallions that were imported.cite web|url=http://www.kunigalstud.com/stallions.htm|title=Kunigal Stud Farm - Stallions|work=Online webpage of United Racing and Bloodstock Breeders|accessdate=2007-08-22] Probably, the most famous Indian thoroughbred to emerge out of this farm was "Adler" who remained undefeated in all the nine races that he competed in India.cite web|url=http://www.india-today.com/iplus/21997/horse1.html|work=Online Edition of India Today, Second Quarter 1997|title=Horse Sense|author=Cyrus Madan|accessdate=2007-08-22] "Adler" is also the first Indian thoroughbred to win a race in the U.S.A. The farm also houses some winning broodmares like "Littleover", "Starfire Girl" and "Supervite". "Saddle Up", a thoroughbred from this farm has won many races in India and also in Singapore and Malaysia.cite web|url=http://www.iroa.com/leading_owners.htm|title= Mallya, the man who sets standards|work=Online webpage of International Race horse owners Association|accessdate=2007-08-22] Another famous horse bred in this farm has been "Burden of Proof" whose progeny has won many races.cite web|url=http://www.indiarace.com/NewsAround/2004/Burden%20of%20Proof.htm|work=Online webpage, Indiarace.com, dated 2004-08-13|title=Burden of Proof, the talk horse|author=Sharan Kumar|accessdate=2007-08-22]

Achievements

Kunigal Stud Farm has been awarded the Leading Stud Farm award in the Bangalore race season held in the year 2006 with 31 winners and also in the year 2007 with 39 winners.cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/01/stories/2007040102431600.htm|title= Southern Charge wins Bangalore Juvenile Million|work=Online Edition of The Hindu, dated 2007-04-01|accessdate=2007-08-22]

Notes