Konakelephi crowned Berlin November champion
Horse from Ndevana, saddled by Sandile Xoza, claims top honours in main event
Crowd favourite Konakelephi lived up to expectations and won the ninth edition of the Berlin November Traditional Horse Race meeting in Ntabozuko on Saturday.
In wet, muddy conditions, the horse from Ndevana, saddled by 19-year-old jockey Sandile Xoza, beat Black Friday, Highcourt, Molotsana, Ndod’aybuzwa, Zinto Ziman’ukwenzeka, Hayi, Gob’sthethe, Khon’undonakele, Sanitizer, Ndincamile and Ndizoy’vala imilomo in commanding fashion in the main event to claim the top prize of R50,000.
Earlier in the day, Konakelephi had won the thoroughbred 1,000m category to qualify for the final.
Young jockey prospect Xoza was thrilled by the outcome.
“I am proud to win the Berlin race after long preparation throughout the year,” Xoza said.
“The race had some of the best horses and jockeys in Eastern Cape and from all over SA.
“I was relieved at the end when I saw we won and ended the year on a good note as the horse was unbeaten all year.
“There were new horses that we have never raced against before.
“We did not know what they were going to bring to the table.
“We banked on home-ground advantage coming into the race since we train on the Berlin turf.
“However, it was not easy on the day because of the wet conditions.
“We had to be strategic in the style we raced and pick areas where we had to slow down and accelerate.
Konakelephi’s owner, Lopez Magongo, said: “We are excited to have won the race. Berlin November is the biggest race in the Eastern Cape and everyone wants to win it.
“Credit has to go to Sandile. He has been working hard this year.
“The money we have won will go into preparation for next year as we will be defending the title.”
Magongo had four other horses racing in the final — Gob’sthethe, Khon’undonakele, Ndod’aybuzwa and Ndicamile.
The popular annual race meeting attracted horse owners, trainers and jockeys from across the Eastern Cape, other provinces and Lesotho.
There were 14 races on the day, with the winners earning their share of the total prize money of R500,000.
The contenders went head to head in thoroughbred and indigenous races.
Molotsana, owned by Jonas Mokoena, won the thoroughbred 1,200m while Khon’undonakele took the 1,400m title.
The indigenous race was split into different categories — Amahashe esixhosa, Umkhwelo, Abakhwetha, Noqala nkundla, Izigogo, Amagqirha and Bhadabhada.
Free my heart, owned by Nkosomzi Makhawula, won the Amahashe esixhosa 1,400m; Thethani, ridden by Thembinkosi Tyilo, reigned supreme in the 1,200m; Homechoice took first place in the 1,000m; and Ntombegqirha claimed the 800m.
Other notable winners: Umkhwelo: Ingwe Ayiphathwa
Abakhwetha: Kusasa alaziwa Noqala nkundla: Shay’izizwe Izigogo: Divorce Amagqirha: TRT Bhadabhada: Mzongenetyala, TRT.