Dady Adenwalla was a trainer when racing was the sport of kings. Hari Singh, the Maharaj of Kashmir who signed a document that his kingdom would merge with India was an enthusiastic race owner. And then there was the Maharaja of Gwalior who had a string of top class horses. And it was the time when the Ahmedbhoys, Ruias, Patels and Singhania ruled the roost at Mahalakshmi. Some of the Maharajas and other tycoons lived life to the maximum. One Maharaja would lead in a winner at the racecourse and watch belly-dancing by Lyn and Lys at the Ambassador where Jack was the popular manager.
Dady Adenwalla was a silent dignified trainer. He was tops at that time – the RWITC recently gave him Lifetime Achievement Award – winning quite a few classics. And he finally got a trainer’s dream win – a Derby victory.
He won the Derby for two Maharajas: for Maharaja of Parlakimedi with Balchand (1957) and for Maharaja of Kashmir with Fair Wood (1959). He was really the trainer to kings and some of the top owners of the time.
When he retired from training, the RWITC grabbed him and put him on a top job – chief stipendary steward. He continued in this job for as many as 15 years.
That he was popular with club members was shown when year after year he was elected to the Appeal Board of the RWITC. He must have been a useful, reliable guide to other members of the board who do not have his top-class professional experience.
Dady Adenwalla had a smile for me whenever we met. I was pleasantly surprised when he told me once Khorshed Gandhi was his sister. Khorshed was at that time connected with an art gallery owned by her husband -- Ketan Gandhi – situated at the Jehangir Art Gallery. I had a close connection with the family which had great admiration for its bright achiever.
It was an accident, the police say. Recently he had an eye operation. He had gone in the morning to the balcony to water plants. Apparently when he finished this work, he leaned and called out to his driver to get the car out as he had to go somewhere. Exactly what happened the police do not know. Next instant – after he called the driver – he fell from the balcony.
The RWITC will miss Dady Adenwalla. His was one of the clean brightest faces of the racing scenario at Mahalakshmi.