Alhaji Yahay Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, has announced that the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN) is planning a prestigious ‘Grade-One’ horse racing derby in Nigeria.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the four-day International Hope Renewed 1st Year Anniversary Horse Racing Derby in Kaduna, Abubakar highlighted the federation’s ambition to host an event comparable in prestige to the Royal Ascot, Preakness Stakes, Dubai World Cup, Saudi Cup, and Kentucky Derby.
Abubakar, the Life Patron of the federation, was joined by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu-Bamalli, the Grand Patron, and Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, Sarkin Dawakin Nupe, the President of HRFN. The derby commemorated the one-year anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“The federation, founded in 2019, aims to create a national platform to organize, host, and regulate horse racing activities across the country,” said Abubakar. He emphasized that HRFN is dedicated to promoting national unity and prosperity by fostering a shared passion for equestrian activities across various regions.
Sarkin Dawakin Nupe expressed confidence in the federation’s potential to become a leading force in horse racing in Africa. He noted that achieving this goal would require significant financial investment, a bold strategy, and a strong passion for the project.
