The Mahalaxmi Racecourse is a horse racing ground in the Indian city of Mumbai. The ground is oval shaped and is located in the Mahalaxmi vicinity. It is approx. 325 acres (1.32 km²) of open land in the heart of Mumbai city. The horse racing season starts in mid November and ends in the last week of April. On the first Sunday in February, the Derby is conducted annually and is attended by many of the city's glitterati. Since the year 1986 till date The Indian Derby has been sponsored by liquor baron Vijay Mallya's UB Group under the name of flagship company McDowells Co. Ltd. as The McDowell's Indian Derby. The Mahalaxmi Racecourse is a replica of the Melbourne Racecourse. The ground is run by the Royal Western India Turf Club on lease from the Bombay Municipal Corporation. Mahalaxmi Racecourse also features a restaurant, Gallops, which is populated by the well-to-do couples or families during the day and night. The interior is decorated with a rustic charm, reminiscent of the British imperialism's palaces with the light fixtures, the dainty carriages with the curtains, and still, the stable, with the bolts along the wall and lining the roof. The restaurant serves Punjabi cuisine (naan and palak paneer, for example) and Western cuisine dishes such as fondue. It offers an excellent selection of wines and beers, providing Indian and Western varieties. To finish the meal, a dessert menu is provided--with options  such as gulab jamun to cheesecake and apple cobbler.

As a passionate high voltage drama that unfolds on the racecourse, Mahalaxmi Racecourse is the place to be one with the high fliers of the society. With shining horses galloping on this oval shaped ground within the Mahalaxmi vicinity, you can visit this exhilarating place between November and February and be a witness to something that seems to be otherworldly delight. The ground is run by the Turf Club on lease from the Bombay Municipal Corporation.

There are few events that so well attended as the Mumbai Derby, an annual affair with dandy English finesse such as hats, gloves, cucumber sandwiches, scones, etc. This is the time when you get to see magnificent thoroughbreds, belonging mostly to Industrialists, and wealthy elites.

As a confluence of the many of the city's glitterati Mahalaxmi Racecourse bustles with the grandeur and extravaganza that include the hardcore punters who make the whole event all the more exciting and fullfilling.

check out some of the high-society visitors