KwaZulu-Natal Traditional Horse Racing Association chairman, Menzi Buthelezi, said there was no horse that was carried in the race at this year’s Dundee July Horse Racing due to the expected level.
Buthelezi said this during the launch of the Dundee July Horse Racing yesterday, at the Ndumeni Municipality premises, in Dundee.
This famous horse race, which marks its 21st anniversary, will be run on July 18, at the Ndumeni Horse Track, Dundee.
With a stake of R2.5 million, 340 horses will be competing in 12 different races.
This means an increase in the race stake as last year a stake of R1.9 million was set.
Horses from Lesotho, Swat, and Gauteng province are also expected in this year’s race, as last year there were also horses from Mpumalanga province.
Among the horses considered in this race are Mpendulo, Khalelani, Barcelona, Nxakanxaka and Mbayimbayi.
Mpendulo, a horse from Mgundeni, Utrecht, ridden by Zakhele Mkhabela, won the bronze medal in last year’s race, and took home R400 000.
Second place went to Moses from Mpumalanga province who received R100 000, third was Amazondo from Majuba who received R70 000.
“In this year’s race, it looks like the standard will be very high, so there is no horse that is a favorite to win.
“We are also expecting horses from Swatini, Lesotho and Gauteng. Mpendulo, the horse that won bronze last year, is coming back this year, along with Nxakanxaka, Mbayimbayi and Barcelona.
“But what I can say is that the horse from Majuba, Khalelani, is one of them and it looks like it might lead the others in the race. So the odds are really tight,” said Buthelezi.
The launch of Dundee July was attended by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal, Mntomuhle Khawula, Dr Thobile Sifunda, the head of the Department, the Mayor of Ndumeni Municipality Mcebo Mkhize, the Mayor of Mzinyathi District Thembisile Mchunu and other mayors of his own and Ndumeni.
“We are impressed as a department to see this race progressing in this way. What I can reveal is that this year’s prize has increased as it will be a stake of R2.5 million.
However, our goal is to finally reach R3 million. So we expect a great level,” said Khawula.
The Mayor of Ndumeni, Mkhize, said: “The growth of this race will increase the economy of the city of Dundee and Mzinyathi region, and give local businessmen opportunities to benefit. Accommodations will be overflowing, which will improve the tourism sector in this region.”
Among the fashion designers who are expected to share their work, are Qhosha House of Fashion, Indoni Fashion House, Early Sluvin Designs, Nguni Shades, Sisters Fellas, Nellie D Designs and House of St Luke.