Chennai History: The Story Behind the Horse Statues at Anna Flyover
Beneath Chennai’s iconic Anna Flyover stand two striking equestrian statues that many people pass every day without knowing their history. These twin statues have long been linked to the Tamil Nadu government`s 1974 decision to ban horse racing in the city.
Horse racing had been part of Madras life for nearly 200 years, beginning in 1777, with races held at the famous Madras Race Club. In 1974, the DMK government announced the end of horse racing and passed a law to stop betting from April 1, 1975.
A plaque on one of the statues states they were installed as a memorial to that decision. However, former Public Works Minister P.U. Shanmugam later clarified in the Assembly that the statues were not originally connected to the horse racing ban, and that the inscriptions were added later.
The ban led to years of legal battles. Eventually, in 1996, the Supreme Court ruled that horse racing was a game of skill and not gambling.
Today, these statues remain a silent reminder of Chennai’s unique political and sporting history.
