New Entrants Dominate Naledi Horse Race
Lebogang Baingapi | Monday September 25, 2017 16:02
Future King from Kokong finished third and claimed P7,000 cash while the crowd’s favourite Guitar Guy from Takatokwane finished second and went away with P9,000. Eversell from Kokotsha emerged victorious to claim the championship in the race’s second edition and received P12,000 cash.
The champion Kabo Medupe was thrilled to have won the race with his new horse, beating the regular participants from Gantsi Agricultural show and Maun horse race.
Medupe who is a regular in horse races, said after losing five times in different races, he brought the new horse from South Africa and trained it on fitness, long distance and gave it enough rest to beat the rest.
“I have learnt that those necessities were crucial for the race and I followed the routine with the help of my friend. I am happy that I ruled the race with a new entrant horse and managed to beat the regular ones,” Medupe said.
Meanwhile, Smile from Kokotsha thrilled the spectators in the Tswana breed by scooping the 800m and 400m. Cobra from Kokotsha was also the toast of the day as it emerged position two in cross breed 800 metres and 1200 metres. Other categories included thorough breed 1000m and 1600m, Tswana 1400 as well as cross breed.
Event organiser Computer Makatane said there has been growth from last year’s first edition with an increase in participants from less than 100 horses in 2016 to an estimated 130 horses this year from Goodhope, Kokotsha, Motokwe, Palapye, Mochudi, Charleshill, amongst others.
He said although they could not secure many sponsors as expected, one farmer Philip Dichabeng invested P150,000 into the race and the attendance was fantastic. Makatane further said the organising committee of the annual race has an intention to grow the sport in the Ngwaketse region and add value to the small entrepreneurs who continue to tap on the race through doing business on the day.