Okahandja Racing Club’s Manne Hendriks has emphasised that grooming top-performing racehorses requires not only time and effort, but also a significant financial investment and unwavering dedication.

Speaking to New Era following the recently-concluded Ma-Sa Horse-Racing event in Maun, Botswana, he expressed pride in the performance of his stable. Thoroughbred Vang and Los galloped to a first-place finish in the 1 000metre (m), while Starlile secured a commendable second place in the 1600m import horse race.

“Getting a horse to peak fitness isn’t something that happens overnight. It involves the right combination of a skilled jockey, proper nutrition including vitamins and supplements and consistent monitored training.”

Despite having had only 28 days to prepare the horses ahead of the international competition, Hendriks credited his team for making the most of the time available. “We are truly grateful for the prizes we received. Training was limited, but we made every day count. The only major challenge we faced was the long journey to Botswana, but we managed to get there in time for set-up and to settle the horses comfortably.”

He went on to explain the intricate process of preparing a horse for such a high-stakes competition. “What people don’t often see is the meticulous attention given to everything – from the horses’ diets and medical checkups to seasonal vaccinations. Horseracing may start as a hobby, but it quickly becomes something deeply personal. You find yourself caring from the heart, not just the head.”

In other races at the event, Weerlig Mootu of Otjinene Supporters Club took second place in the 1400m thoroughbred category, whereas Earl of Cardigan came fourth in the 800m race, showcasing fierce competition across the board. 

Meanwhile, Junias Racing’s pride Woodland Ridge, delivered a standout performance in the 800m race, claiming a hard-fought victory. Owner Enrico Botes shared insights into the horse’s journey and challenges leading up to the win.

“Woodland ran brilliantly, despite some tactical blocking attempts about 300m into the race. He managed to break through, overtook the front-runner, and crossed the finish line in first place. That race showed just how versatile he is,” he said.

Botes added that Woodland Ridge had travelled a gruelling 12 hours from Rehoboth to Maun, which took a toll on the horse’s condition. “When we arrived, he was visibly exhausted, just lying down. That travel fatigue might have impacted his performance in the longer 2400-m race, where he faded to fifth after being among the frontrunners for most of the way.”

In the 2400m, Otjinene’s Imperial Ruby took second place.

He concluded with praise for the competition, particularly the horse Western Bypass. “Western Bypass, the winner of the 2400m race, is a quality horse. Hats off to them. Next time, we’ll make sure to travel earlier so our horses can acclimatise better and deliver even stronger performances.” -lmupetami@nepc.com.na