The crème de la crème of the country’s thoroughbred and Nambred race horses will converge at the garden town of Okahandja tomorrow, where they will battle it out for top prizes in this year’s Independence Cup.
The event, backed by Standard Bank as main sponsor and supported by Marley Tjitjo Architects, Tjitemisa White Brahmans Stud and Nucleus Health & Fitness Club, will take place at the Okahandja Turf Club. It is expected to attract over 80 horses.
The 2022 Independence Cup is a collaboration between the Epukiro Horse Racing Club and the Okahandja Racing Club, and will see horses and renowned jockeys coming from all parts of the country to compete for premium positions.
One of the event organisers, Iritjiua Murangi from the Epukiro Horse Racing Club, yesterday said registration was still ongoing, and the interest from various racehorse owners was immense as the number of entries late yesterday was close to 90 horses.
“It is going to be big, and as I’m speaking to you now, people are still calling to enter their horses. We should expect nothing but great horseracing action this Saturday. As organisers, we have worked hard to ensure security will be tight, and that all our horses and jockeys are well taken care of,” said an upbeat Murangi.
“Although government has relaxed the Covid-19 regulations, we are still going to enforce the wearing of masks and social distancing because we expect a huge turnout. But as far as the event is concerned, we are ready to deliver a spectacle.”
A concoction of thoroughbred and Nambred horses will be coming from as far as Keetmanshoop, Aminuis, Otjinene, Tsjaka, Otjombinde, Rehoboth, Ovitoto, Okondjatu and many other places that are home to some of the country’s foremost racehorses.
Murangi said spectators should brace themselves for nothing but dazzling action, as Namibia’s top racehorses like Visigoth, Burundi, Days of Thunder, Mambas Pride, Cut a Corner, Dream Girl, One Kiss, The Spectacular, Freedom Fighter, Try Again, Ekuva, Ondemba, You Touched My Heart, Time Master, Bring Me More and Rockley Beach as well as many others will grace the much-awaited Independence Cup tomorrow. - ohembapu@nepc.com.na