Horse syndication grows among Kenyans

Veteran jockey Julie McCann with a horse at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on December 16, 2023. PHOTO | BOFACE BOGITA | NMG

Over the years, this sport that was once reserved for the elite has transformed into a sport cherished by Kenyans. Enthusiasts of all races and ages have made horse racing their favorite weekend activity.

THE BDVie arrives just in time to watch the 1,500 meter race. The microphone rings as five jockeys walk out of the Jockey Club of Kenya and onto the track at Ng’ong Racecourse in Nairobi.

Most participants are horse owners, some are horse enthusiasts, while the rest are Generation Z, eager to bet on which most competitive horse will win.

Henrick Maehle, a major shareholder in “Kenny” in an equestrian union, makes sure every member feels comfortable.

As the race begins and the noise of the crowd dies down, everyone’s attention turns to the track, fingers crossed to see which horse will be the first to finish.

Henrick Maehle in the stable with a horse at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on December 16, 2023. PHOTO | BOFACE BOGITA | NMG

The syndicate

Henrick, from Norway, says he enjoys riding horses, although he has never been a jockey due to his weight, with the appropriate weight for a jockey being 52 kilograms or less. “This is the first time I have owned horses, but I have been following the racecourse since 2021,” he explains.

Mr Maehle says they look forward to breeding more horses in the union. “I bought Kenny for Sh450,000 at an auction and decided to form a syndicate where you pay 10 percent for monthly maintenance.”

He tells us that the more the horse is trained and maintained, the higher the cost for new members to join the union. Similarly, Moses Atemba, an engineer, is one of many Kenyans who own horses. He independently owns four horses and is a member of “Kenny’s” ten percent ownership.

“Joining a horse racing syndicate is a better option because you get a share of high-value horses and enjoy the income from the sport. It is also a social event where we network and bring our family to enjoy the event,” says M .Atemba.

He explains that “the cost of running a horse can be very high, sometimes it is better if there are many people who own a horse, it is practical to reduce expenses”.

Mr Atemba’s other horses, like “Kenny”, are kept in the stables where they are fed and cared for. “At the last competition I had my horse in the race, but he left the jockey at the start, which was not good.” he laughs and adds that last year none of his horses participated in any of the races.

Horse racing at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on December 16, 2023. PHOTO | BOFACE BOGITA | NMG

The engineer’s love affair with horses began by chance and has since blossomed into a passion. “When I left university, my first boss had horses and when he left Kenya, he gave me one of his horses. I had no choice but to adapt to the profession horse owner.”

He knows how to ride a horse, although he admits that he doesn’t really know how to care for a horse for comfort.

How much does it cost for a horse? “Prices differ. Usually at the end of any horse racing season and before the start of the next, there is an auction where people can buy shares, buy new ones or sell their horses. A good horse can go for 400,000 to 600,000 shillings for young people.”

Ben Lawrence, chief executive of the Jockey Club of Kenya, acknowledges that many Kenyans opt for syndicates because of their affordability. “There is, however, no restriction on the number of people who join a union, unless the owner does so,” he says.

Is there a market for horses in Kenya?

“We find that Kenyans are very interested in purchasing horses. The opportunity to purchase a horse as an individual is an expensive business. Most Kenyan racecourses do not have enough horses in training to launch the big races and increase the number of horses. bets that keep people coming back,” Mr. Lawrence said.

Like any other obstacle, Mr. Lawrence testifies that the cost of transporting already trained horses from countries like South Africa, Mauritius and Zimbabwe to Kenya has become a crisis.

“We need more horses in Kenya because if you have more products to sell, you can increase your capital,” he adds.

Ben Lawrence, general manager of the Jockey Club of Kenya, during an interview at Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi on December 16, 2023. PHOTO | BOFACE BOGITA | NMG

At the event, Mr Lawrence says people come because of their passion for horse racing, but there is also a good atmosphere. There are activities with different professional vendors, great food, drinks and a perfect family day.

Horse training

For her part, Julie McCann, who trains horses, recognizes that they are amazing animals and easy to work with. “Horses are like children, if you pat them on the neck they know they did right, if you project a stern voice they know they did wrong,” she says.

Ms. Julie, a jockey for over 30 years, explains what an incredible experience it is to coordinate with an animal that can’t talk to you, but you expect it to. “You and the animal need to engage and understand each other to get the most out of it.”

When we enter the stables, she communicates with the horses by graciously rubbing their backs. ”I have 16 horses in the stable in training at the moment, including five two-year-olds like ‘Kenny.’ However, “Kenny” is not ready to race at the moment, his skeletal legs are open, which means we need to help him develop his road work and speed.

When preparing for a race, Ms. Julie emphasizes that horses must be fit and strong. “They went up into the woods five to six days a week to learn different skills.”

She goes on to explain that in training you follow what the horse gives you as it progresses. “You can’t tell a horse where to run and what type of terrain he likes. He will tell you through his performance,” she adds.

The way horses sail to thrive comes with age, young horses around two years old start racing at a shorter distance of 900 meters. Ms. Julie explains that they need to be piloted to prepare them for the next race. “We don’t just prepare them for races by making them gallop, although sometimes it’s up to the jockey to judge the horse’s abilities because he can understand the horses better.”

Based on her success in the sport, she says horses are best able to race between the ages of two and five, although some go up to seven years.

How much does it cost to maintain a horse? “The average cost of maintaining a horse is about Sh55,000 per month for boarding, shoeing, bedding and feed. In addition, grooming is important, the horse must be cleaned and rubbed from time to time to stimulate blood circulation.” specifies Ms. Julie.

→ (email protected)