Jockey Club to mark 110 years of horse racing
What you need to know:
- He said his dedicated team of organisers will see to it that the event helps raise the profile of the sport in the country.
- “We shall have visitors from around the globe, and we have invited highly-ranked riders to participate in the jockey challenge. This will definitely strengthen our relationship with the cream of the crop in the region which is good for local riders,” Fraser said.
The Jockey Club of Kenya will next month hold celebrations next month to mark 110 years of horse racing in the country.
The celebrations, dubbed ‘Party of the Decade,’ will begin on January 15 and will culminate in a four-nation jockey challenge, which will bring together participants from the top three horse racing countries in Africa namely Kenya, South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe.
The celebrations have been planned to coincide with Kenya’s oldest annual jockey competition, the Guinea Classic. The celebrations will also mark the first time local riders will get an opportunity to compete at the international level.
Kenya Jockey Club chairman, Tom Fraser, has confirmed that all is set for the event, saying several local and foreign companies have come forward to partner them in organising the event.
“We have already had support from companies like Bloodstock SA, Gold Circle, Varsfontein Stud, Scott Bros, Oldlands Stud, Digteby Stud and D. M. Southey. It is envisioned that more sponsors will join in what is going to be a momentous occasion in our long history of racing,” Fraser told sportingpost.co.za.
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Fraser has promised participants a memorable experience, saying this will be “the best day of racing Kenya has ever experienced.” He said his dedicated team of organisers will see to it that the event helps raise the profile of the sport in the country.
“We shall have visitors from around the globe, and we have invited highly-ranked riders to participate in the jockey challenge. This will definitely strengthen our relationship with the cream of the crop in the region which is good for local riders,” Fraser said.
He has also promised the visitors that besides horse racing, there will be several other activities to make the day a family fun day.
“We intend to have a real party with a family festival atmosphere for the day. We will hosts a golf tournament as a build-up on the weekend with live bands, fashion shows, acrobats, vintage car club, Kenya Rally car club in attendance as well as national sportsmen and women.
“Accommodation will be made available. Those who wish to see more of our beautiful country we will make holiday arrangements for game park visits, safaris, deep sea fishing excursions, cattle and horse stud visits and other day trips,” Fraser said.
