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 coordinator of the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HFN), Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, revealed this at the finals of the 2025 International Renewed Hope Horse Racing Competition held at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Race Course, Yola, the Adamawa state capital.
Mustapha, who is also the Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, disclosed that new winners had emerged following the recent derby in Bida, Niger.
He explained that seven Toyota saloon vehicles were awarded to the first-place winners across various categories of the races.
The runners-up received 700,000 Naira each, while the third and fourth-place winners received 500,000 Naira and 350,000 Naira, respectively.
According to the Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, a horse from the Niger Republic, Lamin Kazim, emerged as the second winner under the Sudan stable.
He added that his own horse won the SD stables in the Talon category, stating, “It won in a spectacular manner, finishing with a distance of 200 metres.”
The Sarkin Dawakin Nupe noted that the Republic of Cameroon made significant contributions to the derby, bringing no fewer than 100 horses to the event in Yola.
“Hence, we had no fewer than 200 horses at the derby, which added tremendous glamour to this global event,” the HFN national coordinator added.
The coordinator also expressed delight that distinguished dignitaries from both within and outside Nigeria attended the event.
Meanwhile, the national coordinator disclosed that arrangements were underway for the Savannah season of the competition.
According to him, races will be staged in Gumel, Jigawa; Kano; and Zaria in Kaduna State.
He mentioned that the climax would take place in Abuja in July, concluding the Sahel Savannah 2025 season.
He added that the 2026 season would feature races in the South-West, South-East, and South-South regions.
The national coordinator extolled Mr. Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to promoting horse racing in Nigeria.
He noted that the president has consistently recognised horse racing as part of efforts to enhance 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 this epochal event from across the Sahel Savannah countries.
He explained that Nigeria is taking the lead in horse racing within the comity of nations in Africa, adding, “We are happy to be part of history and to have contributed to making this a reality.”
Five countries participated in the event: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
“They are our international partners during racing events in Nigeria.
Dignitaries who attended the event included the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, represented by the Commissioner of Youth and Sports Development, Wali Yakubu; Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammad Barkindo-Mustapha; Mai Tangale, Malam Danladi Sanusi; and the Emir of Ibi in Taraba State, Malam Iliya Muhammad, among others.
