Horse Racing In Kenya

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The shimmer of light off brown coats that glisten in the sunlight, and the meters of unspoiled that track lay open, awaiting the heavy pounding of hooves. These are the precursors to a horse race in Kenya. Time slows to a halt. In the stands men in immaculately tailored suits stand near the railing of the track, papers in hand, anxiously awaiting their fate, having danced with the numbers and chosen their favourites. There are women in finery; cheering, smoking and socialising. The gates are opened, and a forest of limbs and hooves rushes out. Above this frenzy of hooves, as if suspended on clouds that glide, jockeys pour out their efforts, streamlining their bodies. Lasting all but a few vibrant moments, a cheer goes up as the horses set out, matching each other stride for stride, tearing up the green run way, flying at a blistering pace around the race track. This is horse-racing, also known as the Sport of Kings.

Find yourself in Kenya, enjoying the glamour of horse racing at the Jockey Club of Kenya Race Track in Ngong Road, the Ngong Racecourse. Throngs of punters gather here for spectacular events. The thrill of the exhilaration, combined with the added incentive of money-making, brings enthusiasts back over and over again. Horse racing in Kenya is one of the more enjoyable vestiges of colonial rule in Kenya. The locals also find a voice at the race track. The Luo and Kikuyu families compete for seats in the free section; the expatriates enjoy drinks while watching the races; and the Kenyan cowboys, the descendants of colonial cowboys, take up their places among the stands. Owners, technicians, and jockeys gather at sunrise to prepare their beasts for a scintillating day of races. The track may be entered for a small fee, and races usually take place on Sundays. For a fusion of a rustic and upmarket experience, visit the race track at Ngong Road to place your bets. Bet also on a superb experience that complements your safaris holiday. While in Kenya, make the most of your stay by hot-air ballooning above the canvas of the Kenyan plains, with vast velds that unfurl into the distance, and massive mountains that lie, slumbering, below, reaching towards the sky. Scuba dive the reefs at Malindi, and explore some of the ancient towns on Africa's east coast for a glimpse into the magnificent palaces of the sultans of old. Enjoy a romantic dhow cruise while the sun sets on your immaculate Kenyan experience.