Top performances headline Independence Cup in Gobabis

Horse racing
17 races, thrilling finishes, and a strong start as the Independence Cup kicks off NHRA’s 2026 season.
Brian Munango
  • 21 Hours Ago

The Namibia Horse Racing Association officially kicked off its 2026 racing calendar with a vibrant Independence Cup event in Gobabis on Independence Day, as the nation celebrated 36 years of freedom.

Under hot and sunny conditions, the Omaheke Region’s capital proved to be the place to be, with racing enthusiasts, officials, and community members gathering for a full day of action. A total of 17 races were carded, with the final two headline events delivering the day’s biggest moments.

Namibia Horse Racing Association president Gottfried Mootu expressed his satisfaction with the event, highlighting both the turnout and its significance. “The day has been a very grateful one. We are honoured to have such a proper crowd joining our first horse racing event of the year. It’s a great way to kick off the season with the Independence Cup,” he said.

The event was further boosted by the presence of Omaheke Region governor Pijoo Nganate, who praised both the turnout and the role of sport in uniting communities. “It’s a beautiful time to be alive and to witness events like this, especially as we celebrate our independence. The turnout here and at the national celebrations shows that we are looking forward to a prosperous future,” he said, adding that improved infrastructure at the racecourse could further elevate the sport.

On the track, several horses delivered standout performances throughout the day. Storm Breaker won the Juvenile 800m, while White Nossob dominated the Nambred Maidens, claiming victories in both the 1000m and 1400m races. Whisper triumphed in the Import A 1000m, Starlito impressed in the Import Maidens over 1000m and 1400m, Golden Fire won the Nambred Graduation 1600m, and Weerlig Mootu claimed the Import Graduation 1600m. Other notable winners included Force De Dieu (Import Graduation 1000m), Torix Night (Import D-Division 1000m and 1800m), and PeeJay (Import Open 1400m).

In the Nambred Open 2000m, Katiti Kamambo took top honours, finishing ahead of Lady Diamond and Boma. The final race, the Import Open 2000m, saw Woodland Ridge produce a commanding performance under jockey Hans Swaartboi, popularly known as Sawas, with Equerry finishing second and Whisper in third.

After the race, Swaartboi expressed confidence in both himself and his horse. “I felt very confident. He is a good horse and he can do it. I am preparing him for competition in Botswana and I believe he will do well there,” he said, referring to the upcoming MA-SA Easter Cup at Ma-Sa Racing Park on 4 April, where a number of Namibian horses are also set to compete. Ma-Sa Racing Park is a full-service horse track located 14km from Maun along the Francistown Road.

With competitive racing, strong attendance, and a festive atmosphere, the Independence Cup set the tone for what promises to be an exciting 2026 season for horse racing in Namibia