Bright Eye and Katjutju owner optimistic
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
WINDHOEK
Renowned racehorse owner Iiritjiua Murangi has sent out a strong warning to other horse owners that his horses will be fired up for the MTC Horse Derby.
The inaugural MTC Horse Derby is slated to take place at Okahandja on 28 November and is Namibia's biggest horseracing competition yet, given the N$250 000 in prize money up for grabs.
The derby is expected to attract Namibia's top horses and a large number of spectators.
Murangi is aware that there will be tough competition but insists that his horses from the Epukiro Racing Club, Katjutju and Bright Eye, will be on fire.
Preparations
“These horses are in perfect shape and will be at the top of their game in Okahandja.
“Katjutju looks in better shape than she has been in a long time, while Bright Eye is also becoming a phenomenon.
“We were in Rehoboth but did not do that well because we wanted to give our all in the race at Okahandja,” Murangi said.
Bright Eye and Katjutju are currently at Gobabis, being trained by Zuma Kavirombo.
Murangi in the meantime is making sure that the horses remain in top condition by giving them the right supplements.
The horse owner admitted that Bright Eye faces a tough challenge against Water Low, Try Again and many other horses that have been doing well in the Nambred D- Division.
Epukiro's finest, Katjutju, will have to fight her way to the top in the Nambred Graduation division, which also has top horses.
Strong competition
“The competition is indeed high but we will not be afraid of the challengers because that is what makes horseracing very interesting. “I will also make sure that my jockey is well treated and well remunerated for always risking his life on top of a fast-moving horse,” Murangi said.
Doping concerns
It was alleged this week that some racehorse owners could be taking a shortcut to victory by injecting their horses with banned substances to make them run faster.
When asked about it, Murangi said he had heard such rumours but could not confirm any specific incident.
“It is just things we hear, that there are horse owners injecting their horses, but there is no proof.
“I would however like to warn that if there are any doing that to stop because it could spoil the true meaning of horseracing at the end of the day.
“We want all races to be fair and for the horses to run natural races because it is only good for the sport.”
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has granted the Namibia Horseracing Association a sponsorship of N$1.5 million, which will run for a period of three years.
WINDHOEK
Renowned racehorse owner Iiritjiua Murangi has sent out a strong warning to other horse owners that his horses will be fired up for the MTC Horse Derby.
The inaugural MTC Horse Derby is slated to take place at Okahandja on 28 November and is Namibia's biggest horseracing competition yet, given the N$250 000 in prize money up for grabs.
The derby is expected to attract Namibia's top horses and a large number of spectators.
Murangi is aware that there will be tough competition but insists that his horses from the Epukiro Racing Club, Katjutju and Bright Eye, will be on fire.
Preparations
“These horses are in perfect shape and will be at the top of their game in Okahandja.
“Katjutju looks in better shape than she has been in a long time, while Bright Eye is also becoming a phenomenon.
“We were in Rehoboth but did not do that well because we wanted to give our all in the race at Okahandja,” Murangi said.
Bright Eye and Katjutju are currently at Gobabis, being trained by Zuma Kavirombo.
Murangi in the meantime is making sure that the horses remain in top condition by giving them the right supplements.
The horse owner admitted that Bright Eye faces a tough challenge against Water Low, Try Again and many other horses that have been doing well in the Nambred D- Division.
Epukiro's finest, Katjutju, will have to fight her way to the top in the Nambred Graduation division, which also has top horses.
Strong competition
“The competition is indeed high but we will not be afraid of the challengers because that is what makes horseracing very interesting. “I will also make sure that my jockey is well treated and well remunerated for always risking his life on top of a fast-moving horse,” Murangi said.
Doping concerns
It was alleged this week that some racehorse owners could be taking a shortcut to victory by injecting their horses with banned substances to make them run faster.
When asked about it, Murangi said he had heard such rumours but could not confirm any specific incident.
“It is just things we hear, that there are horse owners injecting their horses, but there is no proof.
“I would however like to warn that if there are any doing that to stop because it could spoil the true meaning of horseracing at the end of the day.
“We want all races to be fair and for the horses to run natural races because it is only good for the sport.”
Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) has granted the Namibia Horseracing Association a sponsorship of N$1.5 million, which will run for a period of three years.
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