28 Feb 2023

Horse owners have welcomed the relocation of Mascom Derby from Shashe horse racing track to Samedupi, which is 13 kilometres from Maun. 

The event sponsor, Mascom Wireless, recently announced the this year’s edition would be held at the new venue; MA-SA Racing Park on April 8

A media release from the sponsor also states that the venue is an easily accessible horse track, which promises an enjoyable and safe racing experience.

Mascom has also introduced a new technical partner in Botswana Horse Racing Association (BHRA).

Horse owners have appreciated that the new venue was big enough to accommodate both participants and spectators. 

They said spectators would also have an opportunity to enjoy horse racing from all angles of the track. 

For years, the derby was held at Shashe horse racing track, which some horse owners said was not the appropriate size for the event.

Othata Masedi, who owns the new venue, confirmed that he had availed his farm to Mascom to be used for this year’s horse race.

Masedi said the farm was well developed with an international standard horse track and also provided other recreational activities.

He said this year’s derby would attract horses from Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho, adding that registration would start as soon as BHRA finalised logistics.

He announced the introduction of 1300m, 1800m, 2000m and 2200m races to add more fun and grow the event.

“MA-SA Racing Park is the best place for horse racing as the place is well developed. The area is wide and without trees.  Spectators can see the horses starting the race, all the way to the finish point,” said one of the competitors, Tsholofelo Gabonatsela.

The 17-year-old girl noted that she had already started preparations for the derby, adding that she was ready to put up a spirited fight.

She said one of the unique things about horse racing was that it offered a true test of athletic ability and training.

Gabonatsela said she would compete with two horses in the 800 and 1 000-metre races.

Mokgwa Moalosi, who is the first to own thoroughbred horses in Maun, said he was ready to participate in the upcoming event.

He said he did not participate last year because his horses were sick, adding ‘this year, I am well prepared to take on our competitors from Charleshill, Kokotsha and Namibia, who have been giving us a hard time all these years, but we never lost hope’.

Moalosi stated that he had engaged professional trainers to train his four horses and top class jockeys as he wanted to participate in all races, adding horses had to be in excellent physical condition to be able to run at top speeds for extended periods of time.

He said riders also needed training as they should have the strength and coordination to control their mounts at high speed. ENDs