The Day of Champions marks the final race of the 2023/24 season and the culmination of rivalries this Sunday at Ngong Racecourse.
There is everything to race for in the crowded seven-card race, which is the pinnacle of what has been a thrilling spell of on and off-track battles.
The copious and tantalising contests lined up will be headlined with the Jockey Championship between Henry Muya and the veteran James Muhindi, who will feature in almost every race as they compete for the ultimate honour while leaving nothing to chance.
With only two wins separating them and the pressure of the cauldron simmering, it should make for an absorbing afternoon on the turf.
Beyond the jockeys, Dr P Sercombe is likely to secure another victory in the Trainers Championship with J Karari and J Muya seeking to close the gap with a clear indication of swelling competition across the track.
Contemplating the oscillations of the past ten months, Karari said: “We’ve had ups and downs but we’ve tried our best and overall, it’s been a successful season. I can’t complain. We work for the owners and horses and the results are there.”
Karari believes the patrons have been among the biggest achievements of the season for the sport. “It’s been the best in maybe five or ten years. They give us the drive and we love them,” he said.
This season has been exceptional for the Sport of Kings which has seen an unprecedented growth in crowds and the event has become the home of Nairobi’s most enviable fashion scene.
Chiko Lawi, Kenya’s voice of sports radio, with his lush and colourful tenor, thinks it no great surprise that racing has grown so much and so quickly. “It’s because it’s open to everyone. It doesn’t matter who you are, and it’s cool and fashionable. It’s amazing,” he said.
Chiko believes the raw and unprocessed nature of the sport holds great appeal for the disciples and enthusiasts. “People love speed; I love speed. The sheer power. There’s a reason it’s called horsepower. It’s not a machine, it’s natural, and we get to watch it up close and personal.”
The day’s running starts at 12:45 pm with the 1200m Last Chance Maiden Cup, that isn’t much of a race but Antwerp is the pick. Jumping up quickly in distance, the 2060m Nairobi Town Plate at 1:20 pm pits brave Maria against the Kenya Oaks winner with the latter holding the advantage. Chipping, running significantly lighter, is also worth a look.
The 1:55 pm Italian Cup over 1600m looks like a squabble between Dunleavy and Carlisle with the former looking the more likely pick.
The Sir Ali Bin Salim Stakes at 2:30 pm over 1600m is between Treasure Cove ridden by J Muhindi and Sheriff John Stone ridden by H Muya. It’s hard to pick between them as the two jockeys go head to head in the first race to decide their rivalry.
The 2800m Gooch Cup at 3:05 pm is a marathon with Bedford as the pundits' favourite and Tronador, running 10kg lighter, also worth a punt.
The best race of the day is the 3:40 pm Jockey Club Stakes over 2400m with arguably the two best horses of the season, Assured and Coffee Break galloping against each other. Whilst it should be close, Assured, ridden by M Fundi, is pure magic and hard to beat. Also worth noting is the grand General Lee, a great servant to racing, who may be on the track for the last time in this same fixture.
The last race of the afternoon and the season is an eight-deep jostle over 1200m in the Alfa Romeo Cup with Madam Zee taking on Leap of Faith at 4:15 pm.
As always, the Jockey Club of Kenya (JCK) has as much happening on the track as off with DJs and live entertainment, a pop-up food market that includes Fabio’s Pizza, 254 Brewing, Lekker as well as arts and crafts. The end of the races is not the end of the day, with a Sundowner after party that has become a feature of the race day.