•The racing gets underway at 12:20PM with the Hammurabi Maiden, a 1200m sprint with Joanna as the form favourite.
•Recently awarded as Lonely Planet’s best city to visit in 2024, the races boast the finest fashion scene in Africa, with glamorous crowds decorated in the finest local and international haute couture, flocking en masse for an exciting day of racing
Image: KABIR DHANJI
The short rains are here, the King and Queen of Britain are in Kenya, it’s the weekend of the famous Gunpowder Plot, now known as Guy Fawkes Day, one of Australia’s most famous horse races, the Melbourne Cup.
The ‘race that stops a nation’, is just two days away, and it’s another exciting seven-card race at Ngong Racecourse this Sunday.
The electrifying hustle and bustle of Nairobi can't be escaped and racing Sundays are an unmissable affair.
Recently awarded as Lonely Planet’s best city to visit in 2024, the races boast the finest fashion scene in Africa, with glamorous crowds decorated in the finest local and international haute couture, flocking en masse for an exciting day of racing, music, and entertainment, that has become the pulse of Nairobi’s Sunday vibe.
Lord and Lady Spencer, horse owners and patrons of racing in Kenya were animated ahead of this weekend’s meet.
“Racing is undoubtedly on the up and we are thrilled to be part of this boom, more horses, bigger crowds, and what we are sure will be a brilliant season of racing.”
The ever-affable trainer Ollie Gray was excited by the spattering of rain for racing, making the ground softer, and changing conditions enough to make anything possible.
“From day to day, horses are different. Some days they fly like angels and other days, they look like they can’t run to save their lives. You just can’t say, but that’s part of why we love it.”
The racing gets underway at 12:20 pm with the Hammurabi Maiden, a 1200m sprint with Joanna as the firm favourite.
The second race of the day, the Knighthood Handicap at 12:55 pm is the longest gallop on the card, running at 2060m with South African import Sea Eagle, ridden by Henry Muya, being preferred, though Cindy should not be discounted.
The Royal Mail Handicap at 1:30 pm is a race for three-year-olds run over 1800m with Cassandra looking hard to beat, ridden by the current 2023/24 leading jockey, Charles Kimani.
Lucia Poppova, a late import from South Africa, is an unknown entity who could pull a surprise.
The Joyous Gard Handicap at 2:05 pm is a 1400m sprint where Venetian Link, who used to be Whispering Breeze, will wrestle with the fettle form of Daisy.
The 2:40 pm Spencer Tyron 7 Furlongs Trophy should see the magic of trainer Tony Kuria and jockey Michael Fundi continue to weave their spell of success.
However, Beeston, ridden by the vastly experienced Lesley Sercombe, could upset the honeymoon streak.
The biggest race of the afternoon, the Geoffrey Griffin Trophy at 3:15 pm is a bout of the heavyweights over 1800m.
Without a doubt, Saint Moritz is the royal choice and the nap of the day, but the sagely weathered General Lee, who has conquered the favourite is every bit as much a likely winner.
Scott, who has kept company with these fabulous giants, and has form, and could cause an upset.
The exciting card finishes with The Merchant’s Purse Trophy at 3:50 pm, an 1800m dash which should be a close-fought stake with Coffee Break as the marginal pick ahead of Bampton, ridden by former champion James Muhindi.
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’sPizza, Lekker, as well as an assortment of other food and drink vendors making it an unmissable event.