The first Borrowdale Park race meeting of the 2023/24 season is on Saturday, 14th October, and the Nominations have been posted on this site.

THE CENTAURIAN is looking forward to Borrowdale Park’s 2023/24 racing season and has plans to make it better and better…

“I have written about this before – and make no apology for writing about it again – paraphrasing the words of JFK…. “ask not what the Turf Club can do for you, ask what you can do for your club”.

“As we put the last season to bed and look forward to the start of the new one, it is pleasing to be able to report that there are a good many folk actively doing constructive stuff for your club – and for that, all in the industry are immensely grateful.

“For a start, we have a new Board of Stewards – the old guard of Messrs Buchan, Dixon, Carter, Smith, Gorringe and Kirsty Stidolph have now been joined by Richie Beattie, Gary de Jong, Duncan Cocksedge and Chris Shepherd. The latter group have brought important skills and a new vibrancy to the Board and are already impacting at various levels. There is much focus on getting our course back up to spec and, whilst this may take a little time, the direction of travel is clear.

“Renewed focus is being given to the formulation of a racing programme which will cover a full twelve months. Given the paucity of horses in training, this is a tricky task but it is being pursued with vigour and creativity. More on Sponsorship later….

“To augment the efforts of the course and grounds team, we have an unnamed benefactor who has provided the club with a brand new tractor – a Farmtrac 50 HP model – which will not only save the club vast amounts on repair bills for the old kit, but will also provide a reliability which in turn will allow doing the tasks we need to do on time and in full.

“Speaking of benefactors, let it be known that a small group paid the NHRA some $7,500 towards its costs, and another benefactor loaned the club $10,000 for the same purpose.  Remember, without the NHRA racing would be dead and gone in Zimbabwe.

“Sight should not be lost of those stewards and other volunteers – and they know who they are – who continue to work hard at keeping the sand and grass tracks in some semblance of order. There are challenges here but they are not to be daunted – and maybe the new tractor will help.

“Progress in repurposing the club’s facilities continues in the right direction. To remind you, in just four short years, the club’s rental revenue from its retail estate has risen from a paltry $100 per month to closing on $40,000 per month. OK, there are some increased costs associated with this revenue stream – notably Zesa – but the net position is becoming increasingly robust. And new retail outlets are being found and let – and rental rates are reviewed annually – so there is more to come.

“Whilst the club’s potato venture in the infield has yet to yield a net revenue stream for the club, it is now confidently expected that funds will begin to flow into our coffers from November – just four short months away. It is expected that we can expect to benefit to the tune of up to $100,000 per annum.

“Of course, the health of the industry is related to the sums, and whilst it is true that purses have been slashed to the bone, owners and trainers are beginning to see the benefit of the Stewards’ efforts to secure more and bigger sponsors. In this regard, I would like to make specific mention of Mr Kamal Khalfan (the Republic Cup Trust) and Mr Shaji Ul Mulk (Ul Mulk Holdings). Their efforts resulted in the greatest sponsorship of the year when US$75,000 was provided for the running of the Republic Cup on the 15^th July. These were real dollars. On that very same day, we had a new sponsor – for the Zimbabwe Derby – Pam Golding Properties who provided a purse of US$8,000 – more real dollars. With stakes being paid down to six places, these funds were nicely spread about.

“Activity in trying to unlock the opportunities stored in our land bank continues apace, and success will still provide the club with important opportunities to grow and expand our racing industry. However, given the successes we have had in all the other areas I have mentioned, we are less pressed than we used to be in this regard.

“In many respects, horse racing has become a bit of a Cinderella sport in Zimbabwe – especially when you see it in the context of what has become of cricket and its re-emergence as a mass, popular sport. Accordingly, serious efforts are being made to re-engage with the media and social media – and to increase the attractiveness of racing, not only to would-be owners and racegoers but to the younger generations – early forays are extremely promising.

“Speaking of ownership and racegoers,  it is pleasing to report that ZimFun Racing Club has just completed a third season – and done so with a bang – three wins at Borrowdale, several places and one win in California and one in Australia! Importantly, this club now has some 150 subscribers – many of whom go racing whenever they can, and in so doing add considerable decibels to the Owners and Trainers bar.

“So lots of people making lots of effort to enhance racing at Borrowdale Park – but I want more! A lot more!

“Looking to the future, we need more owners and more horses. Syndicates are the way forward – ten folk buy a horse for $3,000 then it is $50 per month per member – and I will help run it for you – FOC!

“In the short term, I would like to find a benefactor who might help us upgrade the irrigation system for the grass track – just $12,000.

“And how about a few sponsors who could fund more material for the sand track – budget there is $20,000.

“Finally, funding for broadcasting potential – shares in $20,000 would help.

“In closing, I would like to congratulate all trainers and owners for supporting the club through the 2022-2023 season. Debbie Swanson creamed the trainers’ log and Messrs Murray, Littleford and Rugg were deserving top owners with their very game 3-year-old colt, Down to Business.

“Bring on the new season – which starts Saturday 7^th October – be there.”

By The Centaurian.10 August 2023.

There were some tight finishes at Borrowdale Park on Saturday, 29 July 2023, but closest of all was in the 1600m MR90 Handicap, resulting in a dead heat between Sun Bird and Tradition.

Sun Bird is trained by Debra Swanson and Jeffery Syster was riding. She is owned by Mesdames Mesdames C E Charsley, D Herbst, A F Stead, C F Von Rosen & Mr W P Nel. The four-year-old filly is by Querari (GER) out of a Silvano (GER) mare.

Tradition is trained by Bridget Stidolph and Morgan Nyamagwete was in the irons. The five-year-old Legislate gelding is owned by Newbury Racing (Pty) Ltd (nominee Mr D E Evans).

Congratulations!

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News

Coffeeberry, recent winner of the Zimbabwe Derby (Gr3), added the Round Table Zimbabwe Oaks (L) to her laurels at Borrowdale Park on Saturday.

The Master Of My Fate filly is trained by Bridget Stidolph and Kevin Derere was in the irons. Zavannahgold, also from the Stidolph yard, was 1.50 lengths behind, then came My Secret Place and Bird In Space.

Coffeeberry was bred by Mr J R Slade and the three-year-old is owned by her trainer and Mr C M Rambo.

Congratulations everyone!

Photograph: Zimbabwe Equine News

Debra Swanson is Zimbabwe’s Champion Trainer for the 2022/23 racing season.

It was a done deal before the start of the Borrowdale Park race meeting on July 29, where she clocked up another three winners.

Congratulations Debbie – so very well done!

Norbert Takawira has been riding high and is Zim’s Champion jockey, having brought home 23 winners.

Congrats Norbert – and come home soon.

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.

This is the last meeting of the 2022/23 season and the feature race is the Zimbabwe Oaks (L).

If you can’t be on course for the first race at 12 30 this is the link to the livestream on U-Tube https://www.youtube.com/live/SShwXIrM61g?feature=share

Hoping you all have a great day.

The feature race at Borrowdale Park on Saturday is the 2000 Zimbabwe Oaks, but several other interesting races are on the 7-race card.

For instance, Dindingwe takes on Jubilee, Sun Bird, Tulip Way and Tradition in the 1600m Round Table Buffalo Charge MR 90 Handicap. Dindingwe would surely get the nod at level weights, but she is giving weight in varying degrees to the field – all of whom, in this race, look threatening.

The first race is off at 12 30 pm, and Dindingwe and company make their appearance at 14 10. The Zimbabwe Oaks is at 16 00 and will be the last race of Zimbabwe’s 2022/23 racing season.

Local racing will probably not resume until October -so be there on Saturday if you live in Harare!

Zimbabwe Equine News photographed Dindingwe in March when she won an MR 84 Handicap. If the 5-year-old Futura mare can defy the weight and win on Saturday it will be her 10th victory.

Zavannahgold and Coffeeberry are both nominated for the 2000m Zimbabwe Oaks (L) at Borrowdale Park on Saturday 29 July.

If they stand their ground, it should be a worthwhile race.

Coffeeberry won the 2400m Zimbabwe Derby (Gr3) at the last meeting, while Zavannahgold raced in the 1900m Republic Cup won by Down to Business.

Zavannahgold won the 1800m Silver Slipper (L) on the first of July with Wes Marwing on board. Coffeeberry was five lengths behind her, so on paper I would think Zavannahgold is in with a massive shout in the Oaks.

However, this three-year-old filly’s performance in the Republic Cup seemed too bad to be true. Fortunately, her trainer, Bridget Stidolph, agrees we can draw a line through that.

The Zimbabwe Oaks is the last leg of Zimbabwe’s Triple Tiara. The 1600m Fillies Classic, the first leg, was won by Jacky Sparrow in May, and Zavannahgold was just a quarter of a length behind her. Walking Thru Time came third and Coffeeberry, fourth, was six lengths back.

Of course, this is all useless speculation, as the final Oaks field will only be known next week.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

What a wonderful race – and won by a wonderful horse.

Down To Business came from the clouds – like an express train – and won the 2023 Republic Cup (GR3) at Borrowdale Park today. The $75 000 1900m event was sponsored by the Republic Cup Trust in association with Zim Cyber City.

Trained by Debra Swanson and with Jeffery Syster in the irons, Down To Business also won the recent OK Grand Challenge – quite a feat for the three-year-old son of Wylie Hall (AUS), bred by Mayesh Chetty. Down To Business is owned by Borrowdale Park stalwarts Paul Rugg, Grant Littleford and Spencer Murray.

The placings in the big race went to Ideal View, Holy Land and Sun Bird.

CONGRATULATIONS everyone!

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News

The $75 000 Republic Cup will be run over 1900m at Borrowdale Park today and you can watch all the races on https://youtube.com/live/o0Cy2b_Nun8?feature=share

The second feature on the card is the Zimbabwe Derby over 2000m and I hav heard on the grapevine that Jacky Sparrow has been scratched.

Other unfortunate grapevine news is that Gabriel Pieterse will not be riding as he was injured during the week and we wish him a speedy recovery.

The first race is at 12 15 and the Zimbabwe Derby is off at 15 50. The Republic Cup is the last on the 8-race card.

Photograph by Andrew Philip

Much better than watching TV!

Photographs by Zimbabwe Equine News.