Industrialist Yohan Poonawalla and his wife Michelle have invested Rs 12 crores to restore the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) in Poona, stated a press release dated September 5, 2024 from Yohan’s office.
RWITC chairman Suren Sanas stated, "We are immensely grateful to Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla for their extraordinary generosity and timely support. Their contribution has been pivotal in bolstering our Club’s financial standing at a time when it was most needed. We are sure that this newfound strength will propel us towards new heights, contributing significantly to the growth and prosperity of horse racing in India.”
Interiors and exteriors of Poona’s refurbished Royal Western India Turf Club by Michelle and Yohan Poonawalla (above)
Michelle said the Club "holds a special place in our hearts. I have fond memories of visiting here as a child. Yohan has always been very passionate about his grandfather’s legacy and always wanted to continue supporting the horse racing and breeding business along with his father… We wanted to honor its rich history while creating a modern space that would be enjoyed by generations to come…We hope this revitalized Club will inspire future generations to embrace the sport and create lasting memories.”
The Poonawalla Stud Farms, established as the Poona Stud Farm in 1946 by Yohan’s grandfather, the late Soli Poonawalla, is renowned for producing champions (see "Poonawalla at the pinnacle,” Parsiana, December 21, 2015).