Zebaldt Ngaruka
Racehorses, Pee Jay from Burger Racing (BR) and Tsumis Racing’s (TR) Soldier Boy won the main races at the popular MTC Summer Cup race competition held in Okahandja on Saturday.
The distance of 2000 metres (m) was set as the main plate for both Nambred and thoroughbred horses in the event, worth N$200 000, sponsored by Namibia’s communication giant, MTC.
Pee Jay, the thoroughbred horses scooped the first place, took home a trophy and pocketed N$10 100 in cash. Whisper of Southern Horse Racing club challenged the BR horse in second place, while Equerry and Crystal Maiden respectively claimed third and fourth position. In the Nambred primary race, Soldier Boy emerged, followed by Boma from Harambee Racing in second place, with Bin Laden third, leaving Bokkie in fourth.
Soldier Boy received a cash amount of N$7 290 in addition to a trophy for its victory in the Nambred main race. In another exciting sprint, the 1400m import open category, Woodland Ridge won, with Action second, while popular Otjinene Supporters Club (OSC) horse Earl of Cardigan settled for third in a highly contested race.
Rehoboth Turf Club horse called Trip of Peace clinched the 1400m of the maiden horses after it left behind Magreth from OSC in second place, while Miss Chicka scooped the third spot.
Ovitoto Racing’s Hotline claimed first place in the 1600m of the Nambred graduation horses, followed by Prince of BR in second, while Angermund Racing’s Slim Shady came third. Another BR horse named Leopard Lady won the short distance of 1000m in the Nambred A-Division category, followed closely by Boma in second place, whereas Miss Lollipop grabbed the third position. Okahandja Racing’s Katiti Komambo emerged victor in the 1000m of the Nambred D-Division category and brought excitement to the local supporters.
Katiti Komambo was followed by Bokkie and Prince, who respectively claimed second and third position in one of the anticipated plates of the MTC Summer Cup.
In the 1000m of the thoroughbred A-Division category, Woodland Ridge won, followed by Action Time in second, whereas Sitting Bull and Unbroken Promises respectively claimed third and fourth positions.
BR continued its dominance, with its other horse, Varistocracy, winning the graduation category of imported horses in the 1000m sprint. Crystal Maiden followed it in second, while World in Unison took the third spot, leaving the fourth position to Wondering Star. BR owner, Sakkie Burger, said he is proud to win the MTC Summer 2025 and credits the Almighty God for blessing.
“This is a big excitement for our club; I am thankful to my wife who stood by me all the time. I also acknowledge my jockeys for the job well done,” Burger said.
He added that the club brought 10 horses to the event and, unfortunately, one perished in a road accident on Friday.
“We lost our horse, Seanna Rea, before the event, and despite the setback, I am glad that most of my horses managed to get places in the competition. We did well and are looking forward to the upcoming events,” he said.
Approached for comment, Namibia Horse Racing Association spokesperson, Chantal Mouton, said the crowd’s energy and spirit were good despite poor attendance. “We added the JSB Betting platform to the event, it worked smoothly and showed a strong appetite for betting in the horse racing industry. We are thankful to our sponsor MTC for making it all happen and for its tireless contribution to the development of horse racing sport in the country,” she said.
Mouton also appreciated the clubs that took part in the competition and acknowledged the healthy competition among them.
“This is what we need for the development of our racing sport, and it is good to see that healthy competition all the time,” she added.-zngaruka@yahoo.com