19 Apr 2022

Kokotsha horses gave spectators a fun filled event as they emerged victorious in different races during the Mascom Derby held at Shashe horse tracks on Saturday.

Jockeys; Ketsile Sesipi and Morris Dijeng from Kokotsha in the Kgalagadi District created some lasting memories for spectators.

The duo gave opponents a torrid time as they won the majority of races, to the delight of their supporters.

The 34-year-old Sesipi was a marvel to watch as he dominated and won eight races out of 13, while Dijeng won four.

The derby attracted 120 horses in the two categories of Tswana and Thoroughbred competing for the total of P500 000 prize money.

The popular race attracted horses from Botswana, and Namibia.

All eyes were on the grand race 2400m where Sesipi and his Desert Commander did not disappoint as they clinched the championship grand title and walked away with P5 000.

Namibian French Leave horse jockey won second place, winning P4 700 while Takatokwane horse settled for position three and its jockey pocketed P4 600.

In the first round of the race, Sesipi’s Desert Commander and Talk Talk horses emerged winners under 2000m and 800m thoroughbred category and walked away with P2 700 and P1 999.

His King Dups horse also got position two in the 1800m race and went home with P2 400, while Tears of Joy and Cobra took position two and three respectively, with cash prize monies of P 2000 and P1 500 respectively.

Sesipi’ sterling performance continued as CR 7 horse also got position one in the 1400m, while Cobra took position three in the 1 200m race. In total, he pocketed close to P20 000.

On one hand, Dijeng’s Man Stay Tswana breed scooped position one in the 1000m race and got a price money of P1 850, while Sky and Hazel horses got position two and three under Tswana and Thoroughbred with prize monies of P2 200 and P2 300.

Other Kokotsha jockeys, Boikago Moepi and Steve Katjivi also scooped position two under the Tswana 1000m, 800m and Thoroughbred 1600m categories and were awarded P1750 and P2100.

Sesipi’s employer, who is also the manager of Kokotsha Horse Racing Association, Otukile Moruakgomo could not hide his excitement, noting that this year’s race competition attracted top horse riders.

He thanked the organisers for a job well done and he called on the sponsors to consider increasing the prize money to P1 million to attract more riders.

“Mascom derby is an interesting event and we treat it more like a high sporting competition similar to AFCON competition, hence we want to grow it bigger and better and eventually contribute meaningfully to the local and national economy,” he added.

He also appreciated that the derby had drawn attention of participants and spectators locally and internationally and their counterparts from Namibia for always supporting the event.

Horses from Namibia, he said, always made their presence felt in the event and encouraged them to grow the collaboration and benefit more.

However, the Namibian jockeys also performed well with Honest Illusion, Visigoth and Chief Black horses winning under the 800m, 1400m, 1800m, and 1200m categories. The horses are owned by Nongoo Katjianjo, who is the owner of Aminuis Racing Club.

He also thanked the organisers for giving them the opportunity to participate in the spectacular event.

Katjianjo expressed gratitude that most of their jockeys won and pocketed a lot of money.

He acknowledged that the race was tough as Botswana jockeys did not have mercy on them and won may races.

Meanwhile, this year’s competition had new additional races of 1300m, 1800m, 2000m and 2200m, to add more fun and grow the event.

In the previous races, the competition focused on the 800m, 1000m, 1200m, 1400m, 1600m and 2400m races. ENDS