The recently completed Asian Racing Conference in Mumbai was something to behold. Besides being the best run conference for racing in many years, if not ever, the conference was held in an exciting city full of culture and spirit, away from the mainstream racing sites we are all used too. 

It was also something new for many of the delegates and their accompanying partners.  The site of the conference was the beautiful Trident Oberoi Hotel in downtown Mumbai. Once the site of the tragic 2008 Mumbai bombings, the Trident regained all of its charm after the renovation and has a rich history.  The conference itself enlightened the delegates that attended but the after event festivities was a most enriching highlight. 

The beautifully planned and executed conference allowed for the world to see Indian culture and the many jockey clubs of India contributed both financially and in man power to make the conference a total success. 

With so many social highlights, the Bollywood fans would go with the special Jacqueline Fernández headline act on the opening night of the conference. She, the star of numerous Bollywood movies, was the showstopper at the National Sports Center in Mumbai. A dome like stadium of international standards, the opening function was hosted in Mumbai's most famous indoor facility. With guests from over 20 countries resplendent in their evening wear, the music and dance set the tone for an evening of glitz and glamour.

The most interesting evening with respect to the dining experience was the Parsi styled sit down dinner event at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The Poonawalla Family are Parsi by origin and they arranged the dinner with much aplomb. With dishes arriving from every angle, it was a feast like non other. Both vegetarians and non had the best of Indian dishes prepared for them and served by Parsi dressed waiters delivering dishes at will to each guest. 

The final night and closing ceremony was a real thrill. Bollywood dancers enthralled the engaged audience with spectacular awards style dancing whilst the cherry on the top was the outstanding performance by Shankar Mahadevan. The man who sings the famed Bollywood "Pretty Women" song explained how his label bought the rights from the wife of Roy Orbison to make the hit number. He belted out hit after hit and disappeared as fast as he appeared,  Bollywood style. The night was over. Sadly, this wonderful conference was over. 

The conference will live long in the memories of the delegates and attendees. It leaves a taste of India on ones palette. The hospitality of the Indian people and the organisers was extra ordinary. In fact, it was as welcoming a crowd as any event we have attended. More importantly, it leaves one wondering how great the racing world can be when we all work together for a common cause.