New dawn in horse racing circles as crowds surpass expecations

Horse racing scaled to new heights this weekend with the biggest crowd seen at the races across the 2022/23 season.

Under a warm Nairobi afternoon, over 2000 people made up of locals, internationals, celebrities, and models, dressed in what can only be described as a fashion scene out of a movie, rushed and jostled through the turnstiles for the penultimate meeting of the season— The Stewards’ Cup—which was embellished with the inaugural craft beer and cocktails festival.

The growth of horse racing as a sport in Kenya reflects the understanding of the governing body’s insight into how to embrace the culture and traditions of racing for modern audiences, and simultaneously reinvigorate the racing fraternity.

The local legend of the track and trainer extraordinaire Joe ‘Horse Whisperer’ Karari is elated with the sudden rise in horse racing status.

“This is why I am doing it. The crowd and the passion make me want to do more. Crowds drive trainers and jockeys to be better. Without them, it’s nothing.”

Championship contender and defending jockey title holder James Muhindi echoes the feeling that has consumed the sport. “This season has been the best that I can remember. The crowds are amazing! They’re so important for racing,” he said.

The results from the six exciting and closely contested fixtures, in almost perfect racing conditions, were every part of the show that the masses demanded.

As predicted, Muya’s Cranleigh easily carried off the win in The 1200m Belinda Bowl, and the oracle had another unerring prediction with Twyford who won the 1600m Warwickshire Lad Handicap.

The lengthiest running of the day, the 2800m Louis Cup, was also the closest race of the day, and the upset of the afternoon, with Go Pro stealing the line from Chipping by a head.

The 1400m Kalahari Handicap saw Tony Kuria’s Ripon ridden by M Fundi easily trounce the field by four lengths.

The feature race of the afternoon, the 1200m Stewards Cup, a contest which needed no sibyl, was comfortably won by Lady Spencer’s Saint Moritz to the roaring cheers of a fully lined finish.

The final race of the day— the 1200m Prince of Wales Trophy— again saw the winning combination of trainer T. Kuria and jockey M. Fundi ruffle the forecast with an uncomplicated win on Bedford, who looks like a horse destined for glory.

The euphoria of what racing has become has rapidly spread into results beyond the track with a host of new and existing owners buying horses for the upcoming seasons, a number of which have landed in the stables of the ever affable Ollie Gray.

With a full string for the upcoming season,Gray believes the changes are the proof in the pudding. “It’s fantastic and marvelous to see so many young people, the whole thing is fantastic, a fair with racing. The party atmosphere is there!”

Mateus Finato, owner of the popular and trendy Geco who was at the races with their mobile bar, said: “This is something amazing, a great vibe and a beautiful day. We as Geco are excited and happy to be part of racing and this new movement that is going to explode.”

With the crowds now primed for the season Finale on July 23, 2023, the Day of Champions, leading jockey Lesley Sercombe said she can’t wait for the next meeting.

“It’s fantastic, vibrant, and full of excitement. It improves how you ride and makes you want to do better. Riding out and seeing hundreds of people, it’s a carnival atmosphere, it’s contagious.”