Owning a successful race horse can yield financial returns, particularly when the horse triumphs in prestigious competitions.
Beyond the monetary rewards, the thrill of watching a horse one has trained and nurtured, compete and win before an enthusiastic crowd brings an unmatched surge of adrenaline for owners and trainers alike.
For Timon Kelebeng of TT Stable in Motokwe, victory is about more than excitement. His prominent horse, Western Bypass, recently clinched the 2400-meter grand race at the Masa Easter Cup held in Samedupi, walking away with P20,000 in prize money.
Despite the win, Kelebeng views the earnings as merely a validation of the dedication and passion invested in raising the horse.
Western Bypass, a thoroughbred, has consistently dominated local races. Last year, it won the same Masa Easter Cup, earning P30,000, and successfully defended the title this year.
Kelebeng, who owns six racehorses, expressed confidence in Western Bypass, attributing its consistent performance to quality care and training.
“The prize for horse racing events in Botswana remains very low due to lack of sponsorship, yet the cost of maintaining a race horse is extremely high. Winning P20 000 is just a drop in the bucket,” Kelebeng said in an interview.
He called on potential sponsors to support the sport in order to grow the industry.
Kelebeng who is also president of the Botswana Horse Racing Association noted that in other countries, horse racing was a thriving multi-billion-Pula industry that extended beyond the racetrack.
Top-tier horses can command millions even after their racing careers, providing long-term returns for their owners, he said.
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