Honeybell Orange is the best horse in the country following a dominant display at the Kenya Derby on Sunday. The battle of the undefeated titans has now been settled with the slightly tired-looking Saint Moritz, the pre-race favourite, being convincingly beaten by three and ¾ lengths by the nimble-footed filly.
Owned by Lady Spencer, trained by P Sercombe, and ridden by Charles Kimani, the lissom Honeybell Orange remains the only undefeated horse in the country, rising to the occasion of the Derby with a calm pomp that manifests her quality and crown.
A full house, complete with dignitaries and diplomats, including the American Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, who mingled with the euphoric patrons and punters and celebrities as well as the who-is-who of local and international models and icons flouting the latest fashions.
There were at the Ngong Racecourse to witness the titanic moment, yelling and screaming and cheering and whooping under the warm Nairobi afternoon sun, who’s heat was only triumphed by the jamboree affair.
The thrilling race saw the gracefully rushing Honeybell Orange run almost entirely unbothered start to finish, whilst the bigger and heavier war-like-steed, Saint Moritz, sat at the back of the pack biding his time and waiting to make a move down the final straight, which never quite happened. The tactic was scuttled by the softer ground, a wide turn and the agile astute Honeybell Orange.
The winning jockey, Kimani, was jubilant, saying: “I am so happy because this is the biggest race and Honeybell Orange has always been my favourite.”
Lady Spencer said: “it is a wonderful occasion. A proper festival atmosphere with some great pop up restaurants bars and music. A big crowd of young and not quite so young. And some of the best racing Kenya has seen in many years. Kenyan horse racing is on the rise again.”
And so it is that amidst the razzle dazzle, the fanfare, and the razzmatazz of the party, the music, and the drinks, horse racing’s whispered hoodoo and fairy-tale superstition has made its case once again that the winner of the Sporani Cup, ‘the Derby trial’, no matter how dominant, is cursed to lose the Derby and wear the coronet crown.
RESULTS
Race Winner
1. D-Day Maiden (1200M) Grand Surabi
2. Breeding Futurity Stakes (1000M) The Gambler
3. Once In A Lifetime Handicap (1400M) Daytime Girl
4. Now Or Never Handicap (1800M) Easterly
5. George Drew Challenge Series (2060M) Deodoro
6. Kenya Derby (2400M) Honeybell Orange
7. City Of Nairobi Cup (1600M) Mary Of Burgundy