JORHAT, Feb 26 � The Jorhat Races for the Governor�s Trophy came to an end amidst spectacular performances of the participants at Jorhat Gymkhana Club Playground here today. The �Governor�s Trophy� has this time been rechristened �McLeod Russel Governors Plate� as the prize was sponsored by the McLeod Russel group. The prize was given away by Rajeeb Mehrotra, senior manager of Behora Tea Estate in absence of Governor JB Patnaik. The winner of the McLeod Russel Governor�s Plate was the pony Dulumoni, with rider Ranjit Tai. The second and third position winners were �Hanuman� and �Sivasankar� while the riders were Subansung Doley and Horen Tai respectively.
Nishita Goswami, popular actress, was also present in the prize distribution function.
As many as nine races were conducted today. These were Parcon (India) Ltd Cup, Jorehaut Tea Cup, Network Travels Plate, Numaligarh
Refinery Ltd Plate, Satyam Group Plate, Jayshree Tea Cup, Bokahola Plate, Oil India Ltd Plate and McLeod Russel Governor�s Plate.
Talking to The Assam Tribune, Rajib Barooah, secretary of the Jorhat Races� 2011 said that the number of participants have been going down over the last few years. Last year the number of ponies in the race was 108, but this time it was only 86.
We are working on preservation of these indigenous ponies, Barooah added. Due to the development of roads and connectivity in these areas there remains little use of those ponies, and the owners take care of them throughout the year only for the race.
