The championship, run over five sponsored races, turned out to be a runaway victory for international jockeys. The "Titan of Titans" title for the best individual jockey was won by Kieren Fallon, who rode two horses to victory and garnered a total of 36 points. But the visitors were magnanimous in victory. "We were lucky to get the best draws", said the champion English jockey of 1997/98. That was perhaps right, as most of the top favourites, especially for the last few races, were ridden by international jockeys.The excitement started off from the third race of the day, the first of the sponsored races. The participating jockeys were introduced to the racegoers, with Kinane and Tina Shroff garlanding each of the jockeys. While therewas polite clapping for foreign riders, a full-throated roar of approval went up as local heroes, led by Pesi Shroff, did a round of the paddock. Few occasions have seen such a wealth of riding talent at the Mahalaxmi course.But the swadeshi ardour proved short-lived. Fallon piloted the Riyahi-Stately Status four-year-old filly to a one and three-quarter length victory over 1400 metres, bagging 20 points for himself, while his team won an early lead. The victory was all the sweeter because the horse was a relative outsider, paying Rs 27 for win at the tote. YS Srinath made some amends for the home team by coming in second on Bearer Bond.

India surged ahead with Supreme Sacrifice's upset victory in the 1200 metres Alpic Trophy. The seven-year-old gelding was ridden by M Kharadi, and was available at the bookmakers at 6 to 1. Supreme Sacrifice won on a photo finish from the favourite, Noble One (Warren Singh up). The win paid Rs 37 on the tote. The Magnasound Music Mile was won by Run for Glory, ridden byKevin Manning. Kevin Darley placed second on Phraoje, while the Indian team had to be content with M Narredu's third place, atop Rain Cloud.

But it was in the Nanoli Stud Juvenile Stakes that the visitors secured an unbeatable lead, with Fallon, Kinane and Star Festival riding Cafe Noire, Cymbidium and Star Festival for the first, second and third positions respectively. Most of these horses were backed heavily, as the tote dividends proved. Win paid Rs 19, and place Rs 8, Rs 8 and Rs 6. The Indians had to satisifed with fourth place by KPG Appu riding Sheerness.

The last of the sponsored races was won on a photo finish by Astana with a scintillating finish by Kevin Darley. Richard Hughes on Anticipator came in second by a short head.