15 Dec 2024

Attendees of the 7^th edition of the Champions Cup Horse Racing event in Motokwe on Saturday enjoyed the thrill of the event which also provided patrons opportunity to place bets on their favourite horses.

Sunbet, the newly licensed betting company, offered a secure platform for those interested to place their bets. 

The Minister of Sports and Arts, Jacob Kelebeng said the event showcased how sport could intersect with sectors such as equine agritourism, fashion and hospitality to unlock economic opportunities. 

He said the value chain within horse racing spans far and wide, offering opportunities for jockeys, trainers, veterinarians, feed manufacturers, and countless others. 

He thus noted that the aim was to develop professional horse racing in Botswana by building a self-sustaining industry that nurtured world-class athletes and contributed meaningfully to the economy.

Giving background, Minister Kelebeng said the horse racing event which started in Kokotsha in 2018 and was officially launched in Motokwe in 2019, embodied a vision far greater than horse racing. 

He said it was a clear example of how community-driven initiatives could align with national development plans. 

Minister Kelebeng, therefore, challenged the private sector to step forward and provide support, ensuring the sustainability and growth of the promising industry. 

“It is a call to action for all of us, government, private sector, and community members to invest in this emerging industry and unlock its untapped potential,” he said. 

Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) chief executive officer Andrew Madeswi expressed delight in supporting the horse racing event and noted its positive impact on local economies.

He advised on the importance of vaccinating horses to  minimise disease risk so as to meaningfully benefit from the sport. 

He said BVI aimed to produce vaccines for diseases affecting horses, such as African horse sickness. 

For his part, Chief Executive Officer of Gambling Authority Peter Kesitilwe said the national value of horse racing was estimated at P402 million, and believed that exporting this value could transform the sport in Botswana. 

He noted that Sunbet was the first company to receive a betting license and had participated in horse racing events before. 

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Batho Tshoso of Motokwe explained how such events benefitted local communities and stressed the need for financial backing.  

Tymon Kelebeng of TT Horse Racing Stable, who organised the event in partnership with Botswana Horse Racing Association appealed for support to help grow the sport.  

The grand race of 2 400 meter for thoroughbreds was claimed by Tymon Kelebeng’s Super Jet which won P20 000. 

Piet Bruwer’s Sambuka, triumphed in both the 1 400 meter and 800 meter Tswana breed races.  In the 1 600 meter thoroughbred race, the title went to Call Me Mr. Salisbery, owned by Mike Mosala, while Pasela Mothibe’s Sea Ways secured a pole position in the 1 400 meter thoroughbred race. The 1 200 meter thoroughbred race saw Mike Mosala’s Incahoots taking the crown while The Son of Lloyd stunned spectators by winning both the 800 meter and 1 000 meter thoroughbred races. ENDS