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Cyrus Poonawalla on betting tax

From Baychimo for Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby · · Puneri Awazz News

“We are waiting whether the betting tax is going to be on the total which is very bad for racing they have raised it to 40%. Or will it be on the bet? If that's on the bet the racing will thrive and we will get good dividend and more public will come. If it is on the total then 40% is tax out of 100 what is left for the party. Right. So a huge difference to the spot will be made in the next two months or 3 months maximum by the Supreme Court judgment which is awaited by all the turf curves of India.”

Cyrus Poonawalla
Chairman, Serum Institute of India
Policy Impact betting taxhorse racing industrySupreme Court judgmentpublic policy

On , Cyrus Poonawalla, Chairman at Serum Institute of India, spoke about betting tax during Baychimo for Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby on Puneri Awazz News.

Baychimo for Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby
Watch on YouTube at 5:21
Baychimo for Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby
Puneri Awazz News
Watch on YouTube at 5:21
Pune Races for 12th October, 2025. Baychimo for Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby The Pune racing season reaches its grand crescendo with the running of the Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby (Gr.1) on Sunday. Before turning to the fortunes of the contenders, it is fitting to acknowledge the unwavering contribution of the sponsors. Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and the Poonawalla Group have been the steadfast patrons of this prestigious monsoon Derby for an incredible 41 years, elevating it to its present glory as one of the most celebrated and eagerly awaited races in the country. Their continued support has added stature, class, and glamour to Indian racing. This year’s Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby promises to be an enthralling contest. Nine runners are set to face the starter, and more than half the field carries strong credentials to claim top honours. When it comes to the big stage, Adhiraj Singh remains the man for the moment. His illustrious achievements—both as a legendary jockey and now as a master trainer—speak volumes of his deep understanding of the sport. Known for his meticulous preparation and razor-sharp planning, Adhiraj Singh leaves nothing to chance. Among his talented wards, Baychimo stands out as a colt of exceptional potential. Adhiraj Singh, always one to think ahead, dispatched him early to Pune, ensuring he acclimatized perfectly to the local conditions. After being given a well-deserved rest, Zacharias has been tuned to perfection and now steps into the spotlight, ready for the big test without the need for a preparatory run. His recent mock race was nothing short of impressive—he was merely stretching out, yet his fluent action and commanding gallop caught the eye. He looked composed, confident, and full of energy, signaling that he is fit and primed for a bold show. One cannot forget his dominant performance in his previous classic, where he outclassed top-notch rivals like Tops with astonishing ease. That emphatic victory left an indelible mark, and if he reproduces anything close to that form, Zacharias could well reign supreme in the Villo Cyrus Poonawalla Pune Derby 2025. From the Desk of Chief Correspondent – Muneer Mirza
Cyrus Poonawalla

About Cyrus Poonawalla

Chairman · Serum Institute of India

Cyrus Poonawalla, chairman of the Serum Institute of India, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CNBC-TV18 India Business Leader Awards in 2024. In his acceptance speech, he stated that from the beginning he supplied vaccines at half or quarter of the market price, sacrificing hundreds of millions of dollars in profits. He said that the "biggest loser" from this policy was his son, Adar Poonawalla, because it cost him an estimated three to five billion dollars in cash profits. Poonawalla also received the inaugural "Vaccine Hero" award from Gavi, the vaccine alliance, in recognition of his work. He said that the Serum Institute's vaccines have reached 65% of the world's children and that an estimated 25 to 30 million children have survived because of Gavi and UNICEF's efforts. Poonawalla has continued to emphasize the Serum Institute's commitment to affordable pricing. He stated that the company supplies vaccines at the price of a cup of tea and that it does not intend to take advantage of its monopolistic position in vaccines such as measles. He said the company is working on newer vaccines for diseases including pneumonia, rotavirus, meningitis, HPV, and dengue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Poonawalla said he opposed the mixing of different COVID-19 vaccines, calling it "very wrong" and stating that it had not been proven in field trials. He also said that the Novavax vaccine could not be launched in India until his company received a license to produce it.

Profile compiled from Cyrus Poonawalla's verified public interviews and appearances. See all quotes & transcripts →

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