By Kayode Adebiyi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
The 2nd Edition of the Renewed Hope West African Horse Racing Derby was a highly anticipated championship held in Kaduna State from July 8 to July 11 at the Murtala Mohammed Square.
The three-day equestrian event, organised by the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), featured jockeys and horses from Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries.
The grand finale drew a massive crowd and was graced by high-profile government officials, traditional rulers, as well as captains of industry.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State, delivered an address praising the sport’s role in promoting youth empowerment, national unity, and economic growth.
It was at the event that the president promised a new direction in the development of sports with emphasis on interventions capable of promoting indigenous sports.
The president said his administration has prioritised clean sport and the protection of Nigerian athletes through the setting of national anti-doping programmes, through the enactment of the Nigeria Anti-Doping Act.
He also said the development of an independent national anti-doping centre that will operate in line with international standards is testament of the administration’s determination to ensure integrity.
He said part of the efforts of his administration in driving fresh perspective in sports development is the engagement of relevant sports federations in the development of indigenous sports.
According to the president, support for national collaboration in positioning domestic leagues, expanding opportunities for athletes and coaches, and promoting stronger governance, integrity, and accountability across the sector have been priority areas.
“These interventions demonstrate unprecedented commitment from our administration to the development of Nigerian sports.
“They also reflect the determination of the National Sports Commission to translate presidential approval into measurable outcomes for athletes, coaches, investors, communities, and the Nigerian economy,” he said.
President Tinubu said traditional sports, including horse racing, form an integral part of this new direction.
He said they represent an intersection of culture, agriculture, tourism, entertainment, hospitality, lifestyle development, and commerce, and must therefore be developed as a complete sporting industry rather than treated merely as ceremonial or recreational activities.
“This administration will continue to support initiatives that preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage while transforming traditional activities into modern industries capable of creating wealth, generating employment, attracting investment and meeting internationally organised standards.”
One of the impediments to sports development in Nigeria is inadequate or obsolete sporting facilities. Stakeholders and enthusiasts say equestrian sport is not immune to the challenge.
Acknowledging this, Tinubu hinted at the revamping of the Zaria Horse Racing and Polo Club, which is one of the legacy horse racing arenas in Nigeria.
He said the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, decided to intervene in the project, and that it has already awarded the contract and that there’s progress in the commencement of work.
He also said that similar interventions are being planned for national and community sporting facilities, where new partnerships are being developed.
He said such partnerships will lead to the establishment of modern sport cities, high-performance centres, sports medicine facilities, and commercially viable sporting venues.
The president commended Gov. Sani for the ongoing reconstruction of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, referring to it as a clear example of renewed commitment and collaboration.
He encouraged other states to align and support the growth of horse racing by providing sustainable land to the HRFN for the development of race courses and related facilities.
At the event, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, urged Nigerian youths to embrace horse racing, describing it as a treasured cultural heritage deserving preservation for future generations.
Abubakar, who is the Life Patron of the HRFN, said horse racing remained an important aspect of Nigeria’s cultural identity, fostering unity, recreation and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
According to him, equestrian events had existed throughout history, providing entertainment while contributing significantly to society’s social, cultural and traditional development.
The traditional ruler said horse racing in Northern Nigeria dated back to the era of the Sokoto Sultans and had continued flourishing across the region.
He noted the sport gained prominence in historic cities including Bida, Kano and Zaria, where it became central to cultural festivals and traditional celebrations.
Abubakar encouraged young Nigerians to participate actively, stressing their involvement was vital to preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage and traditional sporting values.
“I appreciate the organisers for their commitment to keeping this age-long tradition alive.
“They should continue with this laudable initiative for the benefit of our cultural heritage and future generations,” Abubakar said.
He also commended the organisers for sustaining the annual tournament, describing it as a platform for promoting cultural exchange, tourism and national unity.
The National Coordinator of HRFN, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, said at the event that the federation was expanding horse racing across the country while introducing stricter measures to curb unethical practices.
Mustapha-Bida said the federation was intensifying efforts to eradicate horse abuse, particularly the use of performance-enhancing substances.
According to him, the federation is collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the proposed Sports Anti-Doping Agency to establish standards that will eliminate unethical practices.
“There has been a lot of abuse of horses in Nigeria, particularly in terms of doping and other unethical practices.
“We are determined to end this, and by next year we hope to have closed that gap,” he said.
On the concentration of horse racing in Northern Nigeria, Mustapha-Bida acknowledged the region’s historical dominance but said the federation was determined to transform the sport into a truly national activity.
He said administrative and technical structures were already being established across the country to support the expansion.
According to him, the next horse racing season, expected to begin in November, will feature competitions in at least one state each in the South-East and South-West.
“Traditionally, horse racing has been a Northern affair, but as a national federation, we are building structures across the country.
“By next season, we hope to stage races in at least one state in the East and one in the West,” he said.
Mustapha-Bida described the competition as a celebration of one of Africa’s oldest sporting traditions and a platform for strengthening regional cooperation through sports.
He said the Renewed Hope West African Horse Racing Derby aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting economic growth, youth empowerment, tourism and national unity.
According to him, the federation remains committed to building a transparent, competitive and internationally respected horse racing industry capable of preserving Nigeria’s equestrian heritage while contributing to economic development.
He urged competitors to uphold discipline, fairness, integrity and sportsmanship throughout the competition.
The tournament attracted horse owners, breeders, jockeys and participants from Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries and featured races across several categories.
Winners on the opening day included Ameerah, owned by S.D. Stable, which won the Division IV Naija Breed Dukusai (2 years and below) race for the ARMECO Cup.
Mai Nasara, owned by Dan Yahaya, won the Dawakin Barga Maiden Zaria da Kewaye race for the Late Alhaji Mamuda Mamman Lagos Cup.
In the Division V Arewa Nigeria Maiden race for the Late Alhaji Umar Idris (Dan Galadiman Zazzau) Cup, Al-Ansar, owned by the Emir of Lokoja, emerged victorious, while Zam Zam, owned by Mr V Stable, won the Division V Arewa Nigeria Maiden race for the Late Alhaji Ibrahim Bako Cup.
Kolele, owned by SSA Stable (Sadiq), won the Division V Arewa Niger Republic Maiden race for the Late Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli (Magajin Garin Zazzau) Cup, while Middle East, owned by Mustapha Aminu, claimed the Division IV Naija Maiden race for the Late Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Cup.
In the final race of the day, Dan Zaki, owned by Nasiru Daura, won the Division II Sudan Maiden race for the Col. Abubakar Dan Gwa Umar Cup.
Day 2 competition produced winners across several categories, with horses from leading stables claiming major honours at the Murtala Muhammed Square venue.
Mai Nasara, owned by Dan Yahaya, won the Dawakin Barga Open Zaria da Kewaye race for the North West Development Commission Chairman’s Cup.
Share Hawaye, owned by Horse Flavour Stable, claimed the Sen. Shehu Sani Cup, while Hassada, owned by Sarki Dan Alewa, won the Division V Arewa Maiden race.
Vinicious, owned by Speedy Stable, captured the Alhaji Muktar Yero Cup, while Speedy II, also from Speedy Stable, secured the Bashir Abubakar Cup.
Hayaniya, owned by Ameer Stable, won the NIMASA Chairman’s Cup, while Lailatul Qadir, owned by Speedy Stable, claimed the Minister of Environment Cup.
Another Lailatul Qadir, owned by S.D. Stable, won the Defence Minister’s Cup, while Mujaheed and Hannan secured victories in their respective categories.
Equestrian enthusiasts say the three-day tournament aims to promote horse racing, encourage healthy competition and strengthen cultural and sporting ties among participants from Nigeria and across the West African sub-region.
Many at the event held on to President Tinubu’s promise to work with the states, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to create an enabling environment for commercialisation of horse racing throughout the country. (NANFeatures)
Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz
*** If used, please credit the writer and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).