•They also argue that collective effort and contribution from the racing fraternity made all the difference in the 2022/23 season.
•Leading Jockey of the Year, Lesley Sercombe was over the moon with how racing has grown.
Image: KABIR DHANJI
The 2022/23 horse racing season will go down in the history books as one of the best in recent times.
Horse racing enthusiasts may have different views about the just concluded season but they all agree it was a season to remember.
They also argue that collective effort and contribution from the racing fraternity made all the difference in the 2022/23 season. Leading Jockey of the Year, Lesley Sercombe was over the moon with how racing has grown.
“It’s brought all Kenyans together and to be honest, it’s a huge privilege to have raced in Kenya and to have it so accessible. Racing is on the up-and-up trend and soon, we’ll be at par with South Africa,” offered Sercombe.
Sercombe believes the human element can't be forgotten as far as racing in Kenya is concerned. “It is a people's sport. This means people are involved with horses at every stage and they are amazing, and so are the horses.”
As a jockey, Sercombe has been inspired by the crowds. “Kenyans' response to racing has been the difference this season. It’s fun and an addiction. I am in total awe of what our marketing and creative agency, Kivuli Creative, have done and accomplished to bring racing to where it is today.”
Lord Michael Spencer and Lady Sarah Spencer, who won Leading Owner and had two of the best horses on the track, said their box-office spell had a great deal to do with what nobody can control.
“A lot of racing is based on chance and luck; a lot of success in racing is about the heart of the horse. You only need to look at the eye and it can tell you a lot about the horse. I think a good team behind the horse and a lot of luck is what it is.”
“Racing is an incredibly exciting sport to watch and for the jockeys riding, it is great to have big crowds,” they said as they reflected on the 2022/23 season.
Jockey Club of Kenya (JCK) chair Miriam Haynes, who has boldly led the turnaround said, “Horse racing has totally transformed the whole atmosphere and everyone’s experience. The Ngong Racecourse family has grown with the crowds, entertainment, experience, and markets. So racing has grown and it’s been excellent.”
Further acknowledging the significance of country and Kenyans in the sport, Executive Committee's director of racing Mary Binks, whose horse, General Lee, won Best Older Horse and the George Drew Series prize said, “I cried when he won because he was under such huge pressure. He’s a truly Kenyan horse, born, raised, owned, trained and ridden by Kenyans. He’s the people’s horse.”
Wanjiru Walchi, the Stipendiary Steward and racing executive was proud that the work that has been put in over the years has come to fruition.
“It makes me incredibly hopeful, and it makes it all worthwhile. There’s been some quality racing and more horses from South Africa which have been good for competition. It’s the best we have and we love racing,” said Walchi.
The chief veterinary officer, Vijay Varma, was delirious about the turnaround. “It is been mind-blowing. We achieved so much beyond expectations. The racing is very vibrant and I never anticipated that we’d get here but we have, and it’s inspiring.”
Gilly Fraser, the leading private trainer, believes the crowds have inspired the trainers and brought in new owners.
“All the trainers are quite keen; it’s all going one way, and that’s up. The crowds have made it a different vibe and so there’s huge audiences for racing and sponsors. It’s been a pretty amazing season, almost unbelievable, with hundreds of people watching races on the rails every week. It’s so great.”
Paul Mbugua, a director and member of the executive, believes racing has grown both directly and indirectly. “I think it has been very successful in terms of the atmosphere and the racing; the crowds are huge and it’s very jovial, like a carnival. Not everyone comes for the racing, people come for a great afternoon of food, drinks, and entertainment with their friends.”
John Sercombe, an elder statesman of racing and evergreen supporter, and a current member of the Executive Committee observed: “It is a multicultural afternoon with huge festivities, full of young people enjoying themselves. Our marketing and exposure has been the difference.”
Amateur jockey and DJ Siyan Hudda highlighted the races are not like anything else anywhere else in Nairobi, or Kenya.
“It’s such a good Sunday vibe. For so many people, they’d rather not go out on a Saturday night so that they can come to the races on Sunday. It is so different. The racing, the music, the market, and the mix of the crowd, is just beautiful,” commented Hudda.