Zebaldt Ngaruka
OZOMBOUVAPA - Following the death of the club’s famous racehorse, Professor, in December, the owners of the horse, Professor Supporters Club (PSC), are planning to host a big race event to honour it, as it played a huge role in reviving horseracing in Namibia.
The stallion Nambred racehorse died on 27 December 2023 at Gobabis due to a wound suffered while mounting.
Speaking to New Era Sport, Stone Katuuo, who is one of the club founders, said it was hurtful news and difficult to accept the death of Professor.
“This horse won many accolades for the club, and that is why we named PSC after this horse. We must do something to honour it. We will engage our mother body, the Namibia Horse Racing Association, as we want to host a commemorative event at Okahatjipara Turf in Okondjatu or here in Gobabis,” Katuuo said.
The famous Nambred horse started racing in the Otjombinde constituency with Koengried Bohitile as its jockey. It came in second before going on to win its next race in Rehoboth.
Professor won all competitions it competed in for two consecutive years (2015–16). At the first Okahatjipara race event, Professor won the Bonsmara bull sponsored by Greeneyes Mungunda.
Information at hand suggests that Professor won more than 30 trophies for the club.
Asked about the horse that challenged Professor, Zuma Kavirombo, another PSC manager named Von Trotha, a horse owned by Edison Kandjii, as the biggest competition.
“There was healthy competition, and Von Trotha always gave us a run for our money. I remember the Tsjaka event in 2017, where it emerged victorious in one of the toughest battles between two horses,” recalled Kavirombo.
The club is also planning to erect a statue at Okahatjipara turf, and the remains of the horse will be displayed at the turf.
The NHRA president, Manes Hendricks, said Professor contributed a lot to the development of horseracing in the country.
“It had a strong fan base countrywide, and it will be a goodgestureto receive such honour,” explained Hendricks.
He said that the legacy of Professor will continue as some of his mares are about to deliver their offsprings.