Saturday, 8 August 2026 MUMBAI EDITION LIVE

Ultimo Wins Grade III Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy

Ultimo upsets favourite Encino, wins Grade III trophy in Pune. Veteran horse registers eighth win

Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk
Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk
Sports Desk · Mumbai Alert News · Sat, 08 August 2026 at 07:18 pm
Ultimo Wins Grade III Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy

Ultimo, a six-year-old gelding, won the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy, a Grade III event, at the Pune Race Course on Saturday. The veteran horse took the lead from the start and held off a strong challenge from favourite Encino to register his eighth win in 23 races.

The win was a notable upset, as Encino was expected to deliver for the punters. However, Ultimo's experience and front-running performance proved decisive in the feature race. The six-year-old horse was the oldest in the five-runner field and showed that age is not a barrier to success.

The race was run on a rain-hit afternoon, with the wet conditions adding an extra dimension to the contest. The runners had to negotiate a testing surface, which made the win even more creditable for Ultimo. Kavya finished third in the five-horse field.

The win was also a testament to the racing legacy of the Poonawalla family, whose name has been closely associated with Indian thoroughbred racing for decades. Ultimo's victory added another chapter to this legacy, highlighting the importance of experience and determination in racing.

The day was a difficult one for punters, as none of the favourites managed to oblige in the eight-race card. Ultimo's win was a surprise, but it underlined one of racing's oldest lessons - that the favourite may have the numbers, but the winner has to find the extra stride when it counts.

The Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy is a prestigious event in the Indian racing calendar, and Ultimo's win will be remembered as a notable upset. The horse's ability to dictate terms from the start and withstand the late challenge from Encino proved decisive in the feature race.

In the end, Ultimo's experience and determination paid off, as he registered his eighth win in 23 races. The win was a creditable one, given the testing conditions and the strong challenge from favourite Encino.

The racing world will be eagerly watching Ultimo's next move, as the six-year-old horse has shown that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level. With his win in the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy, Ultimo has cemented his place in the Indian racing scene and will be a horse to watch in the future.

The significance of Ultimo's win extends beyond the racing world, as it highlights the importance of experience and determination in achieving success. The horse's ability to overcome the odds and register a notable upset will be an inspiration to many, and his win will be remembered as a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work.

In conclusion, Ultimo's win in the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy was a notable upset that highlighted the importance of experience and determination in racing. The six-year-old horse's ability to dictate terms from the start and withstand the late challenge from favourite Encino proved decisive in the feature race, and his win will be remembered as a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work.

The win also has implications for the Indian racing scene, as it shows that experience and determination can still pay off in the sport. The racing world will be eagerly watching Ultimo's next move, as the six-year-old horse has shown that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Overall, Ultimo's win in the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy was a significant one, and it will be remembered as a notable upset in the Indian racing calendar. The horse's ability to overcome the odds and register a win will be an inspiration to many, and his win will be a testament to the power of perseverance and hard work.

What it means for Mumbai and India is that the racing scene is still vibrant and full of surprises. The win by Ultimo shows that experience and determination can still pay off, and it will be an inspiration to many. The racing world will be eagerly watching the next move of Ultimo, and the horse's win will be remembered as a notable upset in the Indian racing calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Who won the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy?

Ultimo, a six-year-old gelding, won the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy.

Who was the favourite to win the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy?

Encino was the favourite to win the Yohan Z Poonawalla Turf Club Trophy.

ultimoencinopune racinggrade iii
X Facebook Telegram
Read the original report ↗

More in Sports

Sports

Gurnoor Brar Hits 4 Sixes in One Over

Gurnoor Brar smashes 4 sixes, India vs Sri Lanka XI practice match

By Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk · 1 hr ago

Sports

Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Dies at 68

Jorge Messi passes away, tributes pour in. Newell's Old Boys pays respect.

By Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk · 1 hr ago

Sports

Devdutt Padikkal Hits 142 In India's Warm-Up Match Vs Sri Lanka XI

Devdutt Padikkal scores unbeaten 142, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel falter. India finishes at 357/8.

By Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk · 1 hr ago

Sports

Lionel Messi's Father Jorge Messi Passes Away at 68

Lionel Messi's father Jorge Messi has passed away at 68. Fans look back at their special bond.

By Mumbai Alert · Sports Desk · 2 hr ago