Tinubu’s horse maintains lead at Yola International derby
By Mohammed Baba Busu
President Bola Tinubu’s horse, “Renewed Hope’, has maintained its lead, emerging as the fastest horse at the International Horse Derby in Yola, Adamawa.
The National Cordinator, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria’ (HFN), Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, stated this at the finals of the 2025′ International Renewed Hope Horse Racing Competition held at Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Race course, Yola, Adamawa state capital.
The National Cordinator of the competition who is also the Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, also stated that new winners had emerged after the recent derby in Bida, Niger.
He explained that seven Toyota saloon vehicles were presented to the first position winners of various categories of the races.
The runners up got 700,000 each, while the third and fourth position winners received N500,000 and N350,000 respectively.
According to Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, a horse from Niger Republic, Lamin Kazim, emerged as the second winner under the Sudan stable.
He added that his own horse won the SD stables under the Talon category, saying, “it won in a spectacular way with a distance of 200 metres.”
Sarkin Dawakin Nupe noted that Cameroun Republic made very strong contributions at the derby as they came with no fewer than 100 horses at the Yola derby.
“Hence,we had no fewer than 200 horses at the derby and that added tremendous glamour to the global event,” the HFN national coordinator added.
The coordinator also expressed delight that top-notch dignitaries witnessed the event from within and outside Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the national coordinator has disclosed that arrangements were ongoing for the Savannah season of the competition.
According to him, there will be races to be staged in Gumel, Jigawa; Kano and Zaria in Kaduna state.
He said the climax would be in Abuja in July, to end the Sahel Savannah 2025 season.
He added that the 2026 season would feature races in the South-West, South-East and the South-South.
The national coordinator, extolled Mr Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to boosting horse racing in Nigeria.
According to him, the president has consistently recognised horse racing as part of efforts to ramp up the unity and socioeconomic prosperity of the nation.
While acknowledging the successes of the tournament, Mustapha-Bida also commended the Etsu Nupe for sustaining the event for 12 consecutive years.
The coordinator stated that no fewer than 500 participants featured in the epochal event from across the Sahel Savannah countries.
He explained that Nigeria was taking a lead in horse racing in the comity of nations in Africa, adding: “We are happy to be part of history and to have pushed to ensure that this has become a reality.”
Five countries participated in the event. They are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
“They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria.
According to Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, the federation is dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by bringing from various regions through a shared passion for equestrian activities.
He noted that efforts would be intensified to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports.
Dignitaries that attended the event included the Governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Wali Yakubu.
Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo-Mustapha, Mai Tangale, Malam Danladi Sanusi and Emir of Ibi in Taraba State , Malam Iliya Muhammad, among others.
