Zebaldt Ngaruka
Namibia’s top racehorse Woodland Ridge continued with its impressive form at the late Victus ‘Concrete’ Bohitile’s honorary competition held in Rehoboth last weekend.
The competition is held in honour of Concrete, a jockey who accidentally died in 2021 at a horseracing competition in Rehoboth.
The Junius Racing horse has become a dominant force in racing competitions after it recently won the main race at the MTC Summer Derby at Gobabis in the Omaheke region.
In Rehoboth, Woodland Ridge emerged victorious in the A Division 1600 metre (m) distance, which was the main plate for the imported horses.
The champion horse left behind the decorated Okahandja-based horse Starlile in second place, while Eamon Freygang’s horses Unbroken Promises and Mr F took the third and fourth spots, respectively. Another top horse from Angermund Racing (AR), Queen Brittania, won the high-profile plate of D Division horses in 1600m.
Queen Brittania was followed by Ephat Racing’s Song of Angels in second place, and Able Suprise of WT Racing claimed third place.
The De Waal Racing Club’s presence at the event was felt when their horse Miraculous Man won the 1400m of the graduation horses. The winner was closely challenged by Okahandja Racing’s (OR) Mcenroe in second place, while Atisari Kotungondo’s horse Time Master settled for third place.
Another highlight of the competition was the combined race of graduation and D Division horses who competed in the 1600m. OR’s Katiti-Komambo won the mixed race, challenged by Bokkie of AR in second position, whereas Michael van Wyk’s horse called She’s a Lady claimed the third place in a highly-contested sprint. It was also an opportunity for the young horses to showcase their speed in the 1400m of the Maiden category.
Khomas Turf Club’s (KTC) Golden Fire easily won, followed by Muskiet from Riverside Racing Club in second place, while Hiskia Kanangure’s horse called No Name clinched the third spot. Six juvenile horses (Little Lady, Philippi, Queens Kitten, Spoorsny, Midnight and Sky Blom) were also given an opportunity to sprint in the short distance of 600m in the maiden’s category.
Here, young horse Midnight from KTC won the race, while Spoorsny of John Drotsky claimed the second spot, leaving third place to Herman Bock’s Little Lady.
Event organiser Eamon Freygang of Naris Turf Club shared with New Era Sport that the competition was aimed at raising funds for the jockeys to take something home in the festive season.
“Jockeys are important stakeholders in the racing sport, and we have to reward them for their role and have fun with their family,” he said. He added that consultations are underway with the Namibia Horse Racing Association to set up an official date on which the late Bohitile will be honoured every year.
The Rehoboth-based racing club put aside N$50 000 to honour the late jockey.
– zngaruka@yahoo.com