'The Bahiya Cup' from Cader brothers

Horse racing is the "Sport of Kings". Aga Khan, Prince Ali Khan, Sheik Mohamed Al Mahktoon and Queen Elizabeth are a few international examples who maintain the tradition.

In Sri Lanka, the Cader brothers, the sons of the late I.A. Cader who was the former President and Chairman Board of Stewards of the Sri Lanka Turf Club are jointly sponsor "The Bahiya Cup" in the name of their Mother, whose birthday falls on April 18.

"We look forward to taking a more active part in future, by making more valued contributions and attracting many more sponsors for races" was the encouraging and invigorating message delivered to the CTC by them.

The Sri Lanka Turf Club is moving from strength to strength and we are committed to rendering our contribution to keep the Club flag flying in memory of our late father's contribution and service and above all his and our love of horses.

The late I.A. Cader was a multi faceted personality who was illustrious in several fields. He was a Member of Parliament, the Deputy Speaker, Senator and Ambassador as well as being a prominent turfite.

He was the proud owner of many class one thoroughbred horses. A few that come to one's mind are "Faladah" and "Sports summary". The latter won the prestigious "Amarasuriya Cup" sponsored by the Galle Gymkhana Club in 1960,when ridden by Mr. Ajit Chitty with much flair and expertise as well as winning the much sought after "The Bank Shroff's Cup" in 1961.

Through the "Sport of Kings" banned in the Country during the 1960s, it was revived in early 1970s initially as PONY racing and subsequently horse racing in Nuwara Eliya.

The late I.A. Cader along with late Upali Wijewardene, late Vasanthha Coomaraswamy, Mervyn Perera, Upathissa Hulugalle, Bernard Halahackone, Ajit Chitty, Sirimevan Senanayake, Devinda Senanayake, Rajan Sellamuttu, Shehan Wijeratne and Ajantha De Zoysa are a notable few responsible for this renewed interest and revival.

Late Upali Wijewardene was one of the most noted worthy turfits from Sri Lanka who had many horses competing and winning overseas in early 80s, such as "The Royal Ascot" in England,

"The Singapore Derby" in Singapore, "The Perak Derby" in Malaysia and "The Melbourne Cup" in Australia.

Today Rajan Sellamuttu and Gamini Jayaratne are a couple of individuals who continue to fly the Sri Lankan flag with their horses competing in prestigious races overseas.

The main event in the Sri Lanka Horse Racing calendar for 10 Furlongs is "Governor's Cup" which will be sponsored by Hilton Hotel Colombo to celebrate their 21st Anniversary.