Champion horse defends his title
Last year's darling still impossible to beat MFUNDO PILISO and SIBULISO DUBA
Celinto’ndikwenzele stunned thousands of horse racing fans when he successfully defended his Berlin November traditional horse racing championship over the weekend.
Final Judgement, which won in thoroughbreds last year, was outrun by his sibling Monusesweni, which won the competition for the first time.
Celinto’ndikwenzele was the fastest horse in the umhambo traditional race, formally called wafa-wafa, and his owner Safa NEC member Xolile Nkompela walked away with about R130,000.
In the thoroughbreds final Monusesweni, owned by Lopez Magongo, won R50,000 after his stunning run.
Nkompela said without their supporters it would have been impossible to defend the title.
“There was a large number of people from OR Tambo, in particular Mhlontlo, Enyandeni, Port St Johns and Lusikisiki our people came in numbers.
“The support they give us means that Celinto’ndikwenzele is not mine but the people’s horse,” a jovial Nkompela said.
“Thank you to Thando Mdledle from the OR Tambo municipality, who has been calling to check how we were doing in the competition, and our traditional leader, Nkosi Dudumayo.”
Nkompela said that to ensure they defended this title, he had to be certain that all his horses consumed a balanced diet.
“A horse must eat a balanced diet at the right time and you must never over-train them ahead of competitions.
“Hence we tried our best to condition them and keep them calm, because a horse can also be under stress.
“I’m happy that Celinto’ndikwenzele has defended this title for the second time.”
Nkompela said he would request permission from their sponsors to allow him to rest Celinto’ndikwenzele for the next Berlin November.
“I want to give others a chance before this becomes a monopoly.
“Because it’s clear that in the province no horse will outrun him in this category.”
As a result of Celinto’ndikwenzele’s successful run in 2019, Nkompela said when they compete at the Amajodi Race, to be staged on December 26, he would not enter Celinto’ndikwenzele. Last year’s prize was a Toyota single-cab bakkie.
“We won’t put him in wafawafa because I want others to get a chance to win there just to open up the playing field so that it’s not a one-horse show.
“I also want to thank the
Daily Dispatch for the coverage they’ve given us.”
Magongo’s horse stole the show in the thoroughbreds and Monusesweni dominated in the 1,000m, 1,200m and 1,400m races.
“It feels good winning a competition like this and this money will help me pay for my jockey’s [Philasande Mxoli] studies at the SA Jockey Academy,” he said.
“Now I want to give others a chance and rest this horse for next year.”