Bengaluru: The Indian racing fraternity awoke to heartbreaking news on October 19, 2025—Sadakshareuben Padmanabhan, fondly known as “Paddy,” passed away in Bangalore at the age of 71. In that quiet moment of loss, the racing world stood still. For decades, Paddy was not just a name spoken in elite racing circles—he was the gold standard, a man whose presence commanded respect and whose legacy is etched into the soul of the Indian turf. He is known for his success in the Indian racing circuit, where he has won numerous graded races and multiple classics, including the Guineas, Oaks, and Leger.
The Making of a Legend
Paddy’s journey through the world of horse racing was not fueled by flamboyance or statistics, but by instinct, discipline, and a near-mystical understanding of the equine mind. His training career, which spanned several decades, saw him mold raw, untamed talent into champions that dominated the nation’s most prestigious races.
His stables were synonymous with excellence. Whether it was a classic mile or a long-distance test of stamina, his horses ran not just with power, but with purpose. They were the reflection of a trainer who believed in balance—between strength and grace, ambition and patience, dominance and dignity.
More Than a Trainer—A Visionary
What set Paddy apart was not just the number of trophies he won, but the way he won them. He approached training like an art form and the turf like a canvas. His methods were meticulous, his intuition extraordinary. He could see potential long before it showed. He could sense a champion before it ever felt the reins.
His victories were never accidental—they were engineered with care, foresight, and strategy. To watch a Padmanabhan-trained horse was to witness harmony between man and animal.
A Mentor to Generations
Paddy’s real legacy lives not only in records, but in people. Young jockeys, stablehands, grooms, and aspiring trainers walked into his stables and walked out transformed. He was patient but demanding, nurturing yet uncompromising when it came to discipline and respect for the sport.
He did not just teach how to win—he taught how to belong to racing. He built character, not just careers. For him, racing was never just about the finish line; it was about the journey, the bond, the heart.
The Gentleman of the Turf
In a sport driven by fierce competition and high stakes, Paddy remained a rare figure of humility. He avoided the limelight, letting the thunder of hooves tell his story. His quiet confidence and unshakable ethics earned admiration from peers and rivals alike.
Where others celebrated loudly, Paddy simply nodded and walked back to the stables, ready for tomorrow. His reputation was built not on headlines, but on honor.
Racing Will Never Be the Same
With his passing, Indian horse racing loses not just a trainer—but an era. Paddy elevated the sport, dignified it, and safeguarded its soul. He proved that greatness doesn’t need noise. It needs vision, integrity, devotion, and love for the craft.
Every time a young jockey mounts with confidence, every time a horse is trained with empathy, every time a moment of victory is met with grace—there will be a piece of Paddy in it.
The Indian turf will feel emptier without him, but richer because of him.
A Legacy That Gallops On
As we bid farewell to this titan, we remember a life lived with purpose and passion. S. Padmanabhan’s legacy is not confined to silverware—it breathes through every life he touched, every champion he shaped, and every standard of excellence he left behind.
The derby community in unison extends heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, protégés, and the countless admirers whose lives he influenced.
Rest in glory, Paddy.
You were, and always will be, one of the finest to ever grace the Indian turf. The echoes of your genius will resound every time the gates fly open and a champion surges toward destiny. He leaves behind his loving wife Sharmila Padmanabhan.
