Zebaldt Ngaruka 

The Otjinene Supporters Club (OSC)’s top racehorse, Earl of Cardigan, won the main plate of the Alex Angermund commemoration.

 The event was held at the Rehoboth Turf Club on Saturday in the Hardap region. 

Angermund was remembered for his contributions and establishment of the horse-racing sport in Rehoboth and Namibia at large.

The distance of 1400 metres (m) was the main race at the 15th edition of the popular competition, aimed at honouring one of the founders of the horse-racing sport in Rehoboth.

An amount of N$30 000 in addition to a trophy was up for grabs, where the country’s top thoroughbred horses participated in the main plate.

Earl of Cardigan emerged victorious, leaving behind the popular Okahandja Racing horse Starlile in second place. 

Top Junius Racing horse Woodland Ridge came third.

The Otjinene-based horse, in addition to the trophy, pocketed a cash amount of N$15 000, N$10 000 for Starlile and N$5 000 for Woodland Ridge.

In another high-profile race, the import A division 2 000m, another Otjinene horse, Equerry, clinched the first place, challenged by the Blonde Act from Aminuis Racing in second place. 

Chief Helmet, also from OSC, came third, leaving the fourth spot to Professor Supporters Club (PSC)’s Prince Resano.

In the D division 2 000m sprint, the Song of Angels, who is owned by Ephat Racing, triumphed. 

Angermund’s Queen Brittania followed in second place, while Able Suprise of WT Racing claimed third place in a highly-competitive race.

The Khomas Turf Club’s horse Power Surge won the import D division category in the 1000m distance, Epukiro Racing’s Sitting Bull scooped the second place, while Lilly Orange from OSC Turf settled for the third spot. 

Sunny Side from Professor Supporters Club continued with its winning streak from Botswana after it clinched victory in a 1400m distance of Nambreds horses. 

The Omaheke-based horse was challenged by Hellocentric from Tjimbundu in second place, while Royal Sable of Southern Horse-Racing Association came third.

The host club horse, Miss Lollipop, came first in the Nambred’s 1000m D division, followed by Tallismanus’ Life is Good.  Destiny from KT came third.

OSC’s Progarius Katjauana Muriambihu said the club is overwhelmed by the club horses’ performance in Rehoboth.  “We only took four horses, and they all did well. It was a great show – thanks to the supporters at the event,” he said. Muriambihu stated that the recent trip to Botswana has sharpened their horses for the competition.

 “We did well in Botswana, and we brought that stellar performance to Rehoboth. We will continue to work hard and take care of our horses, despite the challenges,” he said. 

He motivated the event organisers and the Namibia Horse Racing Association to continue in their efforts to develop horseracing in the country. 

zngaruka@yahoo.com