Zebaldt Ngaruka
Namibia’s top racehorses Freedom Fighter from Ovitoto Racing and Starlile from Okahandja Racing’s won the main honours of the popular July Winter Cup that was held on Saturday at the Okahandja turf.
The event, organised by Khomas Turf Club (KTC) and the backing of the Namibia Horse Racing Association (NHRA), saw more than 70 horses from various racing clubs and individuals battling for N$160 000 in addition to trophies and medals.
The 2 200 meters (m) were the main races of both Nambred and Thoroughbred horses.
In Nambred’s main plate, Freedom Fighter from OVR clinched the first position, followed by Bin Laden second and then Boma.
In addition to a trophy, the Nambred champion horse took home N$7 500 and a bottle of wine for its outstanding performance.
Starlile claimed the Thoroughbred top sprint, followed by Able from Surprise Racing, with French Leave in third place.
In other sprints, Black Beauty from Gam Racing came first in 1 200m of Nambred maiden horses, followed by KTC’s Destiny in second place, whereas Resolution 435 from Tallismanus Turf Club came third.
Life’s a Trip clinched the first spot in the 1 200m of imported maiden’s horses.
In the 1 200m of Nambred graduation category, which was another highly contested race, Flowing River from Angermund Racing came first in the battle.
Earl of Cardigan emerged victorious in the 1 200m of the imported graduation horses.
Amongst other top sprints, the Nambred D/A Division 1 400m saw Aminuis based’s Harambee Racing horse Boma ahead of others and claimed the first place.
Freygang’s Mr F dominated other Thoroughbred horses in 1 400m distance in the A-Division category.
Mr F was followed by the current holder of Botswana’s Maun Polo Race and Namibia’s Independence Bash champion horse French Leave from Aminuis in the second place, whereas Extreme Pain from Extreme Racing claimed the third position.
Angermund’s Flowing River scooped the first place in the 1 600m open race, followed by Otjombinde-based Resolution 435 in the second spot, whereas Uaraa Tjiho’s Try Again claimed the third place in one of the highly contested sprints.
NHRA spokesperson Sweety Zamuee expressed satisfaction with the organisation of the event.
“It was really awesome. The host club did a very good job, as the competition started on time and ended as planned before sunset. Christine Mboma’s presence added value to the event,” she said. Zamuee said all the jockeys were provided with meals, and payments to the winners were done on the spot. Security was also tight, so there were no reports of crowd trouble.
“We didn’t receive any problem in terms of human safety but only one horse from Okahandja Racing that injured, which is a very unfortunate incident,” she said.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com