The Jorhat Race Committee is keen to make the races a part of the Assam Tourism schedule.

The finals of the 139th Jorhat Races, organised in association with The Telegraph, was held at the Jorhat Gymkhana Club on Sunday. Jockey Baheti Taye riding Shiv Shankar won the Governor’s Cup.

The three-day heritage event started on Friday.

Committee treasurer Hardeep Matharu said they are keen about the tourism department taking a big part in the 140th races next year. “The race committee will meet tourism officials soon so that everything is planned early and the Jorhat Races become a part of the Assam tourism schedule,” Matharu said.

He said though it rained during the races, the spirit of the participants, organisers and the spectators was not dampened.

A souvenir — Jorhat Races since 1877 — was also released during the races. Apart from the races, there was a car rally, tennis, billiards, table tennis and badminton competitions, which were held during the race days.

There were cultural performances too with the traditional Mising dance being performed by artists from the participating horsemen’s villages. “This has been a departure over the last few years from the piper bands which were a regular till 2015,” he said.

Food stalls with local cuisine were also put up at the venue where automobile manufacturers Mercedes showcased their top models.

There was total involvement from all the stakeholders, including the tea estates around Jorhat, the local administration, the army, the air force, Assam Rifles and the oil companies.

The first race of the Jorhat Races started on January, 16, 1877, under the first honourary secretary C.I. Showers Esq. The club has been a venue for the annual horse races ever since its inauguration.