Forgotten Time, with Jarryd Penny up, won the 1260m Allowance Plate at Borrowdale Park on the 8th of June, comfortably.

The five-year-old son of Time Thief (AUS) usually finishes somewhere in the money, (before coming to Borrowdale late in 2022 he raced in South Africa), and his win on OK Grand Challenge Day was his third victory overall – and his second in Zimbabwe. The gelding was bred by Nadeson Park Stud.

Assistant trainer Mike Mallett and owners Grant Littleford, Paul Rugg and Spencer Murray were on course that day – and enjoying every moment.

Well done!

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News.

Despite all the other excitements at Borrowdale Park on the day of the OK Grand Challenge, New Galaxy’s victory in the 1600m Fillies Classic should not be overlooked.

The Fillies Classic is for three-year-old fillies and it is the first leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara. Next up should be the 1800m Silver Slipper, followed by the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks. The 2023/4 racing season ends on the 31st of July so there is not much time to fit the remaining two legs in.

New Galaxy was having her sixth start on the 8th of June, and she is now a two-time winner. By New Predator (AUS) and bred by Tawny Syndicate, she is owned by Mesdames A G Mason, Edith Tapfuma, S P Moyo and Mr G Tafeni, Messrs D T Machingaidze and Dr Ronald Mhizha. Corne Orffer was on board the filly in the Fillies Classic, and she is trained by Thomas Mason.

Congratulations everyone!

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Zimbabwe’s super-duper three-year-old, Buster Barnes, won the $80 000 OK Grand Challenge at Borrowdale Park this afternoon – denying Castle Tankard winner Raffles a Grade One double just when it seemed he would succeed.

The son of Erupt (Ire) is owned by the Centaur Syndicate (nominee Craig Danckwerts) and is trained by Debra Swanson. Deryl Daniels was in the irons and Buster Barnes was bred by Millstream Farm. Congratulations to everyone concerned.

Raffles (Orffer) also impressed, running a great race over 1800m while giving the winner 10kgs. Raining Again (Sibanda) came third, and Ideal View (Syster) fourth.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News.

Trained by Bridget Stidolph, Raffles won the $ 50,000 Castle Tankard on the 11th of May, and his many supporters will be hoping he can win another Grade 1 event at Borrowdale Park on Saturday when he faces 14 rivals in the $80,000 OK Grand Challenge over 1800m.

The Castle Tankard is raced over 2000m but few of Saturday’s runners will be bothered by a shorter trip.

Raffles, by Time Thief (AUS), is a four-year-old formerly trained by Roy Magner in Gauteng, for whom he won two races. The gelding won his first start for the Stidolph yard on the 21st of April, and followed up by winning the 2000m Castle Tankard on the 11th of May, finishing 3 lengths clear of Majestic Warrior who was receiving 6 kgs. Wantage and Ideal View ran third and fourth respectively.

On Tankard Day Wantage received 3.5 kgs from Raffles while Ideal View was giving the winner one kilogram. All of Majestic Warrior, Wantage, and Ideal View, meet Raffles on better terms on Saturday, but Raffles has the better draw.

Another OK runner attracting considerable interest is Jaeger Moon (above) a six-year-old gelding by Capetown Noir who won the 2400m East Cape Derby, and the 1800m East Cape Guineas at Fairview in 2021. He has won 9 races from 1600m to 2400m.

His first and only start at Borrowdale was on the 26th of May when carrying 60.5 kgs, he beat Tigers Eagle (54 kgs) by 1.75 lengths in an 1800m MR 90 Handicap. Before joining the Swanson yard Jaeger Moon was trained by Gavin Smith, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against some of Borrowdale’s best.

The field also includes the champion three-year-old Buster Barnes, who carries 52 kgs but is drawn fairly wide, and several others who could make the ‘favourites ’ pick up their heels.

When trying to predict the likely winner of these big races I am perhaps overly cautious because I have learned the hard way to be prepared to be surprised. The only certainty is that we are in for a great race.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News & Chase Liebenberg

By Diana M. Wakefield Hawkins

Var Aglow, ZimFun Racing Club’s up and coming superstar, trained by Debra Swanson has to date racked up five consecutive wins at Borrowdale Park—a total of eight since he raced as a two-year-old in 2020. On Saturday he is facing his stiffest competition ever in the (Gr1),$80 000 OK Grand Challenge run over 1800m, on Saturday, June 8.

The OK Grand Challenge, Swanson says, is a tough race over 1800 metres that may be longer than Var Aglow’s optimal distance of between 1100-1200 metres. But he’s a tryer, she says, and the grandstands will be overflowing with thousands of race fans cheering for him and his jockey, Morgen Nyamagwete, wearing ZimFun Racing’s bright yellow silks with the distinctive black smiley face.

Swanson, who was named Champion Zimbabwe trainer in the 2022/23 racing season, describes him as a big, solid, tough-minded horse that is an absolute pleasure to train.

“He does have his little quirky streaks and he’ll let you know what he doesn’t like. But I set him up to win and have never sent him out on his own. He’s also a real people pleaser—never allows me to walk through the yard without his handsome head appearing over his stable door, inviting me to stop and give him attention. He’s such a special horse with a humbling desire to please,” she said.

Jockey Deryl Daniels who rode Var Aglow in three of his winning races, said, “He’s a big solid horse, sound as they come, and he’s a soldier who fights to the line. He also wears his heart on his sleeve,” Daniels added, “and every time I’ve ridden him, he’s been kind and willing and just puts it all out there.”

Var Aglow’s South African breeder Vanessa Harrison also speaks of him with deep affection: “He has a huge personality and the kindest temperament,” she said. “He’s also affectionate, amusing with his little tricks, and adores carrots. I love him dearly, and he will always remain my favourite ‘best boy.’” She noted that when his racing days are over, she plans to bring him home and care for him herself until the end of his days.

Var Aglow is a powerful chestnut gelding, son of the group one winner, VAR, a champion sprinter who was bred in America by Kentucky breeder, Dr. John Eaton. After winning seven races between 1000-1200 metres in the USA, UK, and France, VAR was exported to South Africa’s Avontuur Stud in Somerset West, Western Cape, where until his death in 2022, he sired 56 winners of top-graded races.

ZimFun’s second most winning horse was Deposition. This spunky bay gelding was trained by Amy Bronkhorst and assistant Mike Mallett. While racing in ZimFun colours between Dec 2021 and Feb 2023, he amassed four exciting victories and seven place finishes.

Qunetra, is a bay gelding and was ZimFun’s third most winning horse. He was trained by Bridget Stidolph, top Zimbabwe trainer during the 2020/21 season. Qunetra was born in South Africa in 2017 and went north to Zimbabwe as a five-year-old in 2022. He thrilled ZimFunners with three wins and eight place finishes but saddened them when he pulled a tendon in his left leg during training in Dec 2023. The injury was severe, and he was retired from racing. Jockey Leslie Marwing rode those three back-to-back wins on Qunetra. “Although he was not the easiest of rides, I got to build an affinity with him and learned what made him tick. When all that came together it would only take a good one to beat him,” he said.

Thoroughbred racing was introduced to Zimbabwe 132 years ago, in 1892, and reached its pinnacle in the 1990s, when a Zimbabwean-bred horse, Ipi Tombe, made headlines around the world after capturing eight stakes’ races in four different countries—Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. While this talented bay filly was wowing international racegoers, back home in Zimbabwe political unrest and farm seizures, beginning in 2001, were destroying the country’s once vibrant thoroughbred breeding industry. Despite these setbacks, racing at Borrowdale Park in Harare limped on, but eventually the dwindling number of horses available to compete in races resulted in fewer and fewer scheduled meetings.

To energize local racing, a group of racing enthusiasts led by C. John Smith, MBE, former chairman of the Mashonaland Owners and Trainers Association and now a Mashonaland Turf Club steward, got together in 2020 to formulate a plan. They created a racing club, naming it the ZimFun Racing Club Ltd. After applying for racing colors and with all necessary licenses approved, they began enrolling members.

Today the club’s membership includes hundreds of race fans, some local, with others from countries all over the world—all keeping abreast of ZimFun activities by watching Borrowdale Park races on YouTube and communicating with one another over a WhatsApp chat group. The cost of a share in ZimFun Racing is a reasonable US$100 per year and individuals can purchase multiple shares.

“Multiple shares help us raise sufficient funds to buy quality horses,” Smith said. “The club also encourages local members of the public to attend race meetings. This gives newbies an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the racing game, and in turn, helps us to attract new owners which will increase the number of horses,” he said.

Since it was formed in 2020, ZimFun has owned eight horses, six of which (75 percent) that have won races—an impressive statistic. Its first horse was TRICKY BUSINESS, who romped home for his first win at Borrowdale Park on Dec 11, 2020.

VAR AGLOW (SAF) a chestnut gelding, was born 2016, by VAR (USA) out of JET AGLOW (SAF) by JETMASTER (SAF).

He raced in South Africa for 3 seasons in the colours of his breeder, Mrs. Vanessa Harrison, with a race record of 20 starts with 2 wins and 8 places. Harrison shipped him to Zimbabwe where he raced under her colours and was trained by Gokhan Terzi. Between 1-13 Jul 2022, he raced twice at Borrowdale Park, placed once, and won one race, the 13 July 2022 Merit Rated Handicap. Afterwards, Terzi moved his training stable to South Africa, leaving behind several Zimbabwean horses, including VAR AGLOW. VAR AGLOW was then sent to a stable of polo ponies. His new owner, however, considered him a less than suitable mount for a polocrosse player, so a short time later Mike Brown turned VAR AGLOW over to ZimFun Racing Club and the training stable of Debra Swanson. Between 14 Jan-11 May 2024, he won his next five races.

This is how we will remember Libby Davenport, one of racing’s most delightful ladies. Her passing, on Friday this week, has left a hole in the fabric of Borrowdale Park.

Our sincere condolences to Rob and all the Davenport family, at this sad time.

Photographs by Rosie Dorward: The photograph below was taken in June 2016 when Duffy’s Call, ridden by Brendon McNaughton, won the OK Grand Challenge for the Sunmark Syndicate (nominee Rob Davenport).

The flag will be at half-mast at Borrowdale Park today, to mark the passing of one of Mashonaland Turf Club’s most ardent supporters over four decades.

During this time Kamal Khalfan played many parts – winning owner, MTC Trustee, and sponsor. He was passionate about most things equine and he will be sadly missed. Our sincere condolences to all his family and friends.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News and Rosie Dorward.

Ultimate Jewel, by Rabada, won a 1200m Novice Plate at Borrowdale Park on May 11, and he is nominated to run in a 1600m Progress Plate on Sunday the 26th of May.

Trained by Debra Swanson and owned by the Don’t Horse Around Syndicate (Nom: Mr M Moxon), the four-year-old gelding was the first of two winners with Deryl Daniels in the irons on Castle Tankard Day.

The Weights & Draws and the Final FIelds, for the 26th of May race meeting have been published on this site.

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News

Raffles has won the 2024 Castle Tankard (GR1) run over 2000m at Borrowdale Park  – and what a ride by Gavin Lerena!

Congratulations to the owners, Messrs A Dixon, R S Dyer, S N Buchan, N Evans, G de Jong, M K Chant, Bryn Ressell, and R Sherwood, as well as trainer Bridget Stidolph.

Photo for second place.

By Time Thief (Aus), Raffles was bred by Hemel ‘n Aarde Stud.

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News

Zimbabwe has another Triple Crown winner.

Buster Barnes trained by Debra Swanson and ridden by Deryl Daniels won the 2400m Coca-Cola Zimbabwe Derby at Borrowdale Park this afternoon.

Congratulations to the winning trainer and jockey and to the owners, the Centaur Syndicate (nominee Craig Danckwerts). Buster Barnes was bred by Millstream Farm.

Very well done!

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News.

Victory in Saturday’s 2400m Zimbabwe Derby is all Buster Barnes has to achieve to join the illustrious band of Triple Crown winners.

Debra Swanson’s charge has already won the first two legs of the Triple Crown – the 1600m Zimbabwe Guineas and the Zimbabwe 2000. However, it is not all over bar the shouting as the son of Erupt has yet to race further than 2000m.   None of the 2024 Derby entrants have faced such a test of stamina so – a very interesting race.

1 3 BUSTER BARNES 58.0 (MR86) – D Daniels – Debra Swanson.

By Erupt (IRE) – Servilia by Caesour (USA) – has won 5 of his 7 starts including the 1600m

Zimbabwe Guineas and the Zimbabwe 2000 (the first two legs of Zimbabwe’s Triple Crown). The 2400m Zimbabwe Derby is the third leg and it all rests on whether Buster Barnes can handle this testing trip.

2 2 FOLLOW THE BAND 58.0 (MR56) – J R Syster – Debra Swanson.

By Vercingetorix – Jo Piper by Goldkeeper (USA) – one-time winner mostly well held by Buster Barnes in his last three starts but only two lengths off him in the Zimbabwe 2000.  Will Follow The Band prefer more ground?

3 5 PAIR OF ACES 58.0 (MR50) – K A Brewer – Thomas Mason.

Potala Palace – Lucky Hand by Tamburlaine (IRE) – has beaten Follow The Band over 1260m but was behind both Buster Barnes and Follow The Band in the Zimbabwe Guineas (his last start).

4 4 SIMON’S WORLD 58.0 (MR0) – J Penny – Bridget Stidolph.

Ideal World (USA) – Simona by Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – the son of Zimbabwe champion racemare Simona.  Unplaced in both his starts but could be anything. One can’t fault the breeding.

5 1 EMMA OF NORMANDY 54.5 (MR40) – R Danielson +1.5 – Amy Parham.

By William Longsword – Ice Pageant by National Emblem – won a 1450 Maiden Plate on April 21, and Saturday’s runners Jumped A Red and Simon’s World were also in that race.

6 6 JUMPED A RED 54.5 (MR36) – N Klink – Bridget Stidolph.

By Canford Cliffs (IRE) – Light Chaser by Gimmethegreenlight (AUS) – still a maiden but don’t write any of the runners off over this ‘unknown’ distance.

Photographs: Zimbabwe Equine News

Celebrated South African jockey, Gavin Lerena, will be riding Raffles for Bridget Stidolph in the 2000m $50 000 Castle Tankard at Borrowdale Park on Saturday,

It has been a long time, but Gavin has ridden at Borrowdale Park before.  The photograph above was taken by Gavin Macleod in 2014 – unfortunately, I can’t say what Lerena and Flintstone were winning way back in December 2014 – finding out would take too much time.

At last, the Final Tankard field, with jockeys, has been published, and bidding should be brisk at Thursday evening’s Card Call. So start studying.

In 2023 the Castle Tankard was won by Ideal View with Nathan Klink riding. Ideal View steps out again on Saturday -carrying a lot more weight. Dindingwe, Down To Business and Raining Again filled the minor Tankard places in 2023 – and Dindingwe and Raining  Again are also ready to try again.