The International Horse Racing Derby began on Wednesday in Kaduna, Kaduna State, according to National Co-ordinator of the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN), Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida.
The event, organised by the federation, is themed “Hope Renewed Sahel Savannah Series 2025 – Under Division System Race.”
Speaking to newsmen on the sidelines of the second day of the race on Thursday, Mustapha-Bida said it celebrates President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasising:
“We trust in President Tinubu and his administration. He has done much to restore Nigeria’s economy and also supports local horse breeding.”
Known as the Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, Mustapha-Bida praised Tinubu’s sports reforms, noting the creation of the National Sports Commission (NSC) has reduced bureaucracy and empowered sports development.
He also highlighted Kaduna’s special role in Nigerian horse racing history, tracing back to 1953, when the late Sardauna introduced the sport to the country. As a result, Kaduna traditionally hosts the season finale.
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The opening day featured seven races, mirroring similar events held earlier this season in Bida, Yola and Zaria. Participants include competitors from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso, competing across five categories, featuring horse breeds such as local, Sudan, and Talon.
Mustapha-Bida celebrated Tinubu’s horse, which has dominated the past two years. He expressed confidence it would maintain its lead during Saturday’s grand finale, which Tinubu is expected to close officially. The President will be joined by distinguished guests, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, among other VIPs.
