Berlin event a runaway success
MEC pledges support, finance
HORSE racing enthusiasts from around the province converged on Berlin on Saturday for the traditional Premier’s Horse Racing Handicap.
Fans braved a strong wind to cheer on the 200 horses battling it out on the race course to be crowned the province’s No 1.
The sport in the rural Eastern Cape is usually synonymous with cultural activities, but organisers Legends Gaming Promotions said they’re on a mission to “professionalise” the tradition – and the event, dubbed the Eastern Cape’s Durban July, lived up to expectations.
Stakeholders included the Masibambane Race Club, the Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board and the provincial sport, recreation, arts and culture department.
Luthando Bara, the man behind the event, was elated.
“We now have a clear sense of where we are going. We’ve managed to rally the horse racing community to embrace our vision for the future of traditional horse racing in the province,” he said.
The main challenge for stakeholders was to bring the skills of proper care for their animals to horse owners and jockeys.
“Our task now is to go to race courses throughout the province and educate them about the new standards that we have set,” Bara said.
Eastern Cape rural development and agrarian reform MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane echoed similar sentiments.
“This is one of the key programmes we need to support and finance as government. We have to capacitate and educate horse owners and jockeys so we have them well trained in taking care of their horses.
“In fact, there is a need for an academy to train people on horse racing and the proper care of horses,” he added.
The department conducted a preinspection for fitness, health and performance, which saw four horses disqualified.
Dr Nandipha Ndudane from rural development said the inspection was to ascertain the horses’ body condition, age, health and fitness.
The department provided five doctors on site, two animal health technicians and one coordinating person.
Racing fans were also treated to performances from Ntando, local group La Peafa and various DJs.
In keeping with the tradition of horse racing being associated with avant garde fashion, attendees to the horse racing event raised the bar.
From the jockeys’ outfits to those in traditional Xhosa attire, there was no question that all were dressed to impress.
The race winners shared R250 000 among them and all participating jockeys were paid.