23 Mar 2026

Preparations for the third edition of Ma-Sa Easter Cup are in the final lap and horses have started to arrive at the race venue to familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

Organised by Ma-Sa Racing Park owner in support of Botswana Horse Racing Association, the event is billed for April 4 at Ma-Sa Racing Park just 15km outside Maun.

This year’s theme is: Footprints Never Fade–Honouring the Brave Horses Which Ran Before Us. Horses from Botswana, South Africa and Namibia will compete in the race.

Already Namibia has brought more than 30 horses while locally, participating horses are from Maun, Kareng, Motokwe, Tsabong, Takatokwane, Goodhope, Charles Hill and Kokotsha among others.

Currently, trainers are busy focusing on ensuring that horses are calm and acclimatise to the race day environment while some are to ensuring availability of all the gear and equipment. The horses’ welfare supersedes everything else.

Ma-Sa annual race usually attracts competitors and supporters from across the country and even beyond the border, so this year’s edition would incorporate starting gates.

The event spokesperson, Tico Otukile, said they have introduced some changes to make the race more vibrant and competitive.

He said they have introduced new races of  1100m, 1300m and 2000m under Thorough breed and short distance race of 800m and  1000m dedicated for Tswana breed category.

“We have also resolved that this time, no Tswana horses from outside North West District will participate in the event because we have enough horses within the district from Makalamabedi all the way to Kuke gate,” he added.

Furthermore, Otukile revealed that horses racing in 800, 1000, 1100, 1200 and 1400 metres would be using professional racing starting gates, which accommodates only 10 horses at a time.

Spectators and competitors, he said, would be treated to a highly classic and competitive race, ensuring safety, fairness and greater professional integrity from the start.

Otukile also stated that dignitaries from Namibia in the likes of chairperson of the Omaheke Regional Council, Rocco Nguvauva and the chief regional officer of the Council, Pecka Semba together with North West District leadership including the council chairman, Itumeleng Kelebetseng and his counterparts from Charles Hill and Ghanzi would grace the occasion. BOPA