01 Apr 2024

Samedupi settlement, about 10km from Maun came alive as horse racing fanatics packed the MA-SA Horsing Racing Park to celebrate and experience the first edition of MA-SA Easter Cup Horse racing over the Easter Holidays.

Organised by MA-SA Racing Park owner, Othata Masedi in collaboration with Haskins Company, the activity attracted spectators from all walks of life to experience a glamorous horse race in which 155 horse from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa participated.

The horses’ categories were thoroughbreds and Tswana breeds, which battled out in races ranging from 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and the grand race 2 400m respectively.

Different business populaces comprising of food caterers, farmers, agriculture and hardware supplies also came in large numbers to witness the stunning event as well as sell their products.

Speaking on the sideline of the event, MA-SA Racing Park event organiser, Tico Otukile saluted the organisers, sponsors, horse owners and the spectators for making the event a success.

“It was the first time to host the race and I am happy that we have managed offer spectators the best race ever. I give credit to Haskins Company for taking the risk to be our main sponsor and other companies, which invested in the event. We intend to host the event annually and we believe that next year, it will be bigger and better,” he added.

Otukile said plans were underway to improve the MA-SA Racing Park citing that they had a four-year strategic plan to build the race to match the international standard.

He also highlighted that they intended to put up permanent structures such as public stands, ablution blocks for both spectators, horse owners and stables so that people could sit watch and enjoy the race comfortably,

In addition, he said they intended to improve the VIP area standard because their vision was to grow the horse racing sport in the country. Horse racing, he said was part of culture in Ngamiland hence the need to develop and grow the race.

“Horse racing has immense potential for the development of other sectors of the economy especially the tourism and we aim to engage all stakeholders to come on board and support the race. This race also brings excitement to community especially the small businesses as they make better profits,” added Otukile.

Botswana Horse Racing Association president, who is also the owner of TT Horse Racing stable in Motokwe, Timon Kelebeng, who graced the occasion appreciated the event and organisers for a job well done saying they displayed a high class event, which attracted competitors locally and outside borders.

He said as the association, they were in deep talks with Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture through Botswana National Sports Commission to have a professional horse racing in the country in an effort to grow the sporting code.

“Our intention as the organisation is to build professional horse racing in the country. Looking at how things are being done in other countries, we have realised that horse racing can help diversify the economy of the country,” he added.

Kelebeng further encouraged horse racing organisers to deal with horse owners through the association because they wanted their members’ welfare to be taken care of.

Meanwhile, horses from Takatokwane and Namibia dominated majority of the races but Slivery Sky horse from Takatokwane belonging to Gothophemang Alone was crowned the champion in the 2 400m grand race ahead of Kingscoffe owned by Oteng Vissaige and Western-bypass owned by Timon Kelebeng became third respectively.

Alone’s horses impressed as Sliver Sky emerged victorious in the 1 600m race while Boisterous body took position one in the 800m race ahead of Lets do it and Extreme pain horses.

On the other hand, Namibians horses came to the party winning the 1 200m races where Woodlands Fairy and Action time took positions one and two respectively while Kelebeng’s horse Kiss my dust came third. 

Namibian horse, Action Time also won the 1 400m race ahead of Perfectly Out from Botswana and Extreme wonder from Namibia which finished in positions two and three respectively. Ends