Tinubu committed to reviving horse racing in Nigeria–Dantata, Nat. Chairman Horse Racing Federation
By Mohammed Baba Busu
The National Chairman, Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata, says President Bola Tinubu is fully committed to reviving the horse racing in Nigeria for the nation to be at par with her contemporaries globally.
Dantata disclosed this at the finals of the, “2025 Renewed Hope Horse Racing competition held In Zaria, Kaduna state on Sunday.
“President is undoubtedly committed to reviving horse racing in the North and Nigeria in general,
“this has been evident by his sustained support to all our activities,” he said.
According to Dantata, Tinubu has also been hugely facilitating ongoing efforts by the federation to make horse racing a truly national event.
The National Chairman stated that the support of the the president through the Chairman, National Sports Commission, (NSC) Alhaji Shehu Dikko has been serving as an elixir to them to do everything humanly possible to take horse racing to greater heights.
He commended the Chairman, NSC for his efforts in ensuring the success of the Horse Racing competitions in Nigeria.
Dantata, however, acknowledged President Tinubu’s support for the horse racing as well as his respect and unity for the north.
He said, “we are aware that the president have serious respect for the northern traditions and also wants the unity of the north,
That is why he is intensifying support for this activities that is more of northern tradition and Islam” the National Chairman avered.
“We want to see horse racing becomes a national and an international event and the President and other critical stakeholders are our real motivators and benefactors in this direction.
“They include our indefatigable Grand Patron, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar Ibn-Umaru, Grand Patron 1, Emir of Zazzau , Amb. Ahmed Nuhu-Bamalli and Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar who is also the Life President, among others.”
The national chairman explained that Nigerian was taking a lead in the 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.
“We have five countries that participated in the event. They are Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
“They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria
Also speaking, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, extolled Tinubu’s relentless efforts to bolster horse racing activities in Northern Nigeria and the nation at large.
The Etsu Nupe and Life President of the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria said the federation was dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by bringing from various regions through a shared passion for equestrian activities.
Alhaji Abubakar noted that the efforts will be intensify to strengthen the cultural norms and values of the people through sports.
According to Abubakar, this has become necessary to prevent culture and traditions from going into extinction.
“The race, which is traditional in nature, further provided an opportunity for the display of culture and various cultural activities” the royal father said
The Emir of Zazzau, Zaria in Kaduna state, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu-Bamali, has urged the federal and state governments and other stakeholders to accord top priority to horse racing in Nigeria.
The Emir urged that attention that is been given to football should be extended to other sporting activities, especially horse racing in the country.
Nuhu-Bamali solicited for more funding, provision of facilities as well as the sponsorship of more local and international horse racing competitions.
“Sports brings people, communities and countries together, the derby will be sustained and replicated”, the Emir who is also the Grand Patron of the federation added.
Nuhu-Bamali, who also concurred with the Etsu Nupe, was full of praises for Tinubu, saying, “we are proud with his association with anything horse racing.”
It would be recalled that Tinubu’s ‘Hope Renewed Horse’ has maintained her winning streak to clinch the first position as the fastest horse for the fifth time.
At the end of the epochal tourney, six cars were won including the one clinched by Tinubu’s horse that has maintained its first position title for the fifth consecutive time
Six Toyota vehicles and N50, 000 were presented to the first position winners of various categories of race.
The second position winners got N700, 000 each while the third and fourth position winners received N500,000 and N350,000 respectively.
Also, a horse owner from the neighbouring Niger Republic garnered two cars while the Emir of Zazzau’s horse also carted away a car.
Similarly, tasty stable clinched two cars, while two horse owners from Barchi State and Kebbi each hauled a car.
Prominent dignitaries present at the event include: the Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal were both represented among others
