Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2026 to begin on July 27

The Hyderabad Race Club will conduct the Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2026 from July 27 to October 30 with 25 race meetings and over Rs 13.63 crore in prize money. HRC also highlighted the impact of higher GST and the online betting ban on revenues

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Monsoon Races 2026 are scheduled to commence on July 27 (Monday) and conclude on October 30, with 25 race meetings scheduled for the season, according to a media release.

The total advertised prize money is Rs 13,63,35,000, with trophies worth Rs 17,85,000. With the division of races, the total prize money will increase further.

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The prize money-to-horse ratio offered at HRC is the highest in the country. The number of race days and the number of races conducted at HRC in the last 10 years are the highest in the country, the release said.

The main races include the K Mahipathi Rao Memorial Golconda Juvenile Million on August 16, the Nizam’s Gold Cup (Grade II) on August 17, the Governor’s Trophy on August 23, the Coromandel Gromor Deccan Fillies Championship (Grade III) on August 30, the Y Shanker Rao Memorial Deccan Colts Championship (Grade III) on September 5, the President of India Gold Cup (Grade II) on September 19, the Race2Win.com Deccan Derby (Grade I) on October 4 and the Golconda St Leger (Grade II) on October 19.

There are 22 ‘A’-licensed and six ‘B’-licensed trainers at HRC, 24 licensed jockeys, two apprentice jockeys and one ‘B’-licensed jockey. Further, some of the leading outstation trainers and jockeys are expected to participate during the season.

There are 619 horses in station, including 118 two-year-old horses.

“Consequent to the increase in the GST rate from 28 per cent to 40 per cent by the Central Government with effect from September 22, 2025, the turnover at the totalizators has witnessed a further decline compared to the previous financial years,” the HRC said in the release.

“The horse racing industry continues to face significant challenges due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The GST remains a substantial impediment, imposing a considerable financial burden on the industry. Unless the GST rates applicable to horse racing transactions are reduced, it is very difficult for the industry to survive in the long term.”

“The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, came into force on August 22, 2025. In compliance with the provisions of the Act and in accordance with the collective and uniform approach adopted by the Turf Clubs across India, the HRC discontinued the acceptance of bets through its online totalizator platform with effect from August 22, 2025. This has caused huge revenue loss to the HRC totalizators,” the HRC explained.

The construction of HRC Recreation Chambers at Alijapur, Hyderabad, is in progress. The project is envisaged as a modern recreational and lifestyle destination designed to provide enhanced amenities and facilities to members, their families and their guests, HRC informed.