Despite the inclement weather and a glorious thunderstorm followed by glowing sunshine, it was an exciting weekend of racing with a chic and fashionable crowd packing Ngong Racecourse on Sunday for the Geoffrey Griffin Trophy.
“Oh my God, what a day,” is the only way 2022/23 champion jockey Lesley Sercombe could describe the colourful scene. “People loved it and the crowds weren’t affected by the rain, the atmosphere was fantastic! The crowds came despite the rain which shows how good racing has become!”
Kenya’s youngest trainer, Tony Kuria, was equally enthusiastic.
“The infusion of good music, an array of delectable food and drink options and pop-up experiences have been instrumental in transforming the entire race day experience, making it more appealing to a broader and diverse audience,” said Kuria.
“Spectators have flocked to the track in ever-growing numbers bringing with them benefits to the sport that extend beyond the excitement of race days, playing a pivotal role in helping the sport grow and thrive.”
Starehe Boys Centre were the guest of honour for the race day named after the centre’s founder Geoffrey Griffin, had the Centre’s Director, Josphat Mwaura, as the guest of honour.
The overnight rain meant that the ground conditions were good-soft, but definitely on the squishy side, which made for challenging running.
The first race of the day the 1200m Hammurabi Maiden, saw jockey Patrick Mungai, chalk up his first of back-to-back wins, guiding Caspar to an uncomplicated laurel. In the second race, the Knighthood Handicap, the longest gallop on the card running at 2060m, Mungai duplicated his master plan from his opening triumph and ran the lesser favoured Zamburak from start to finish.
The 1800m Royal Mail Handicap provided the upset of the day with the unknown Lucia Poppova, guided by the veteran champion, James Muhindi, comfortably outrunning the pack by 5 ½ lengths, for a resounding victory.
The 1400m Joyous Gard Handicap was anything but that for the jockeys, who ran though a thunderstorm in scenes reminiscent of a cinematic masterpiece. In what was easily the toughest race conditions of the afternoon, this seasons’ leading jockey, Charles Kimani rode spectacularly well to chaperone Venetian Link, who used to be Whispering Breeze, to a win by four lengths.
The 1400m Spencer Tyron 7 Furlongs Trophy confirmed that there is something special about Kuria, and that Michael Fundi is a champion jockey in the making, with the combination notching another coup, this time on Rahal by four lengths in a competitive field.
The main event of the afternoon, the Geoffrey Griffin Trophy, the heavyweight bout over 1800m, saw Lady Spencer’s Saint Moritz, ridden by champion jockey Lesley Sercombe, outrun a very zealous Westwind by a length.
“He’s showed his prowess to run in any condition, especially when it’s tough like today, and it’s why he’s the best horse in Kenya,” Sercombe said of Saint Moritz.
The exciting card finished with the 1800m Merchant’s Purse Trophy, with Muhindi claiming his second victory of the afternoon on Coffee Break, closing the gap at the top of the jockey championship.
As always, Nairobi’s finest and most popular pop-up market is at the races, featuring delectable delights from 254 Brewing, Geco Tribe, Maurizio’s, Fabio’s Pizza, Lekker, as well as an assortment of other food and drink vendors making it an unmissable event.
