Horse Racing tourney begins in Kaduna

Posted : 11 July 2024

The Hope Renewed 1st Year International Horse Racing Derby is currently underway in Kaduna.

The event, organized by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, will end on Saturday.

It is themed "Hope Renewed 1st Anniversary Democracy Derby 2nd Edition Under Division System Race".

This epochal event was organized to commemorate the first-year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu.

The breeds and categories of horses running include Thoroughbred horses originating from Great Britain and Sudanese horses.

Others include Talon horses from Chad and Naija Breed horses, born, bred, and trained in Nigeria.

Similarly, there are Arewa horses from Nigeria and Niger Republic.

There are also trophies and car races to be completed in the finals of this all-important sports meet on Saturday.

These include the President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed 1st Year Democracy Cup’, the Sen. Uba Sani Governor’s Cup, the Sultan’s Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar Horse Amirul Muminin Cup, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau’s Cup, and Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe’s Cup.

Speaking at the event, the Life Patron of the federation, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, said they had worked tirelessly to promote horse racing.

He said, “Today’s event is a testament to our dedication.

“We have witnessed growth, excitement, and passion from our participants and spectators alike.

“As we celebrate this anniversary, we also remember those who have supported us along the way.

“We pay tribute to the horses and riders who have entertained us with their skills and prowess.

“Sadly, we also take a moment to mourn those who were involved in an accident on their way to this tournament.”

Abubakar also expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.

“But even in the face of adversity, we find strength in our shared passion for horse racing.

“We will continue to work together to ensure the sport’s growth and success,” the Etsu Nupe said.

The National Coordinator of the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, said the Derby was organized to promote unity across Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

According to him, participants come from across Nigeria and other African countries such as Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, among others.

“This historic event aims to revive horse racing as an age-old sport that started in the 1960s, with Kaduna as its hub,” he said.

The event was attended by the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmad Bamalli, the Emir of Machina in Yobe, Dr. Bashir Bukar, the Madakin Zazzau, Alhaji Munnir Ja’afaru, and the Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Alhaji Yusuf Liman, as well as the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development of Kaduna State, among others.

Horse Racing tourney begins in Kaduna

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