•The growth of racing on the track is reflected in the flourishing event and entertainment that surrounds the fortnightly fixtures, which have built and begun to secure the future of racing.
•One of the venues with the most successful vendors at the races with his pop-up is Maurizio Fregoni, owner and head chef of La Tasca restaurant in Nairobi.
Image: DHANJI KABIR
zThe festive season is still alive with celebrations carrying through into the second half of the 2023/24 horse racing season with Mzee Wa Pwani meeting on Sunday at the Ngong Racecourse having attracted over 1,000 spectators.
An excited and colourful gathering of patrons, punters, and revellers filled the grandstand and every other seat available to watch an exciting day of racing.
The rain that has haunted Nairobi over the past week all but disappeared and the multitudes basked in the sunshine, entertained between races by acrobats, DJs, food and drink, and a special Bachata dance performance marshalled by Jos Lyon.
The growth of racing on the track is reflected in the flourishing event and entertainment that surrounds the fortnightly fixtures, which have built and begun to secure the future of racing.
One of the venues with the most successful vendors at the races with his pop-up is Maurizio Fregoni, owner and head chef of La Tasca restaurant in Nairobi.
Fregon attributes the turnaround in fortunes of racing and the burgeoning popularity to Kivuli Creative, an agency hired by the Jockey Club of Kenya (JCK) to rebuild the sport and brand.
“It’s simple, this is the reason for the success,” he said. “We come for the vibe, people and the horses. The food and the drink is excellent, and the after-party is unbelievable. It’s the best place to be on a Sunday. There’s nowhere else.”
The excitement and revelry were richly rewarded by some dramatic and close racing, with the main race, The Mzee Wa Pwani being the headline thriller.
The favourite, Saint Moritz, was pushed to his limits by Deodoro who made a late run, and only lost by a neck on the line.
Winning owner, Lady Sarah Spencer, who was at the races to watch her champion, said: “Saint Moritz ran a strong race. He was pushed out unbelievably wide around Cemetery Bend so it showed us how classy he is winning the Pwani.
There was an excellent turnout of spectators and a real buzz at the racecourse. There must have been well over 1000 people enjoying the day and I’m looking forward to the next race meeting.”
The other races on the card, though small, were close affairs. Trainer and horse whisperer, Joe Karari, emphasised: “We have good horses on the track and the racing is getting better. The numbers were small but it was still good.”
The first race of the day was the 1000m Lazrin Maiden that handed an easy and predictable win for Leap of Faith.
The second race, the 2400m Ray Warner Handicap, was the biggest upset of the day with Deon, ridden by Henry Muya, defeating the favourite, Venetian Link by a head on the line.
The Drap D’Or Cup over 1800m saw the bankers' choice, Sea Eagle take honours with the reliable Coffee Break finishing second.
The 1200m Chilli Cup provided trainer Tony Kuria another win with High Legislation, ridden by Henry Muya, giving the jockey his third victory of the day. The last race of the day was the 900m On a Promise Maiden for two-year-olds only, where Sticky Ricket prevailed.