The third day of the 2024 African Grand Prix, Saturday, was marked by a series of high-level horse races. Organized by the Royal Society for the Promotion of the Horse of Morocco (SOREC) in collaboration with the Association of African Lotteries (ALA), the event distinguished eight jockeys, spread over eight different races.
The day began with the SOREC Prize, won by Moroccan jockey Kacem Feddoul riding Royal Air Force. Over 1,600 meters, jockeys Zouhair Madihi and Jaouad Khayate finished second and third respectively. The PMU Prize went to jockey Abdelkader El Kandoussi riding Kit De Cerisy, while Soufiane Abouhayane and Ichi Bouaroua finished third and fourth.
The Prix de Marrakech, third race of the day, saw Amine Moughat win with his horse Nazir Maamora, in the purebred Arabian category. Mohammed Sanad finished second, ahead of Zouhair Madihi.
The fourth race, African Brotherhood, brought together nine Anglo-Arab horses. It was won by Soufiane Abouhayane on Donsafa Fal. Reda Moussa and Kacem Faddoul finished second and third. Abouhayane also won the ALA Prize, his second victory of the day, riding Nashwa Bouskoura in a category reserved for purebred Arabians aged four years and over. Bouchaib Labzani and Aziz Bayoud followed in second and third position.
In the sixth race, the Prix Palmeraie, jockey Abdelghani Daouf won with Benzu in a category reserved for horses aged three and over. Soufiane Abouhayane and Kacem Feddoul took second and third place respectively. The flagship race of the day, the Prix d’Afrique, a 1,900 meter event, was won by Moroccan jockey Jaouad Khayate on Briefing, ahead of Reda Moussa and Ayoub Arromali.
The eighth and final race, the Prix de l’École des jockeys, was won by Moroccan Salaheddine Assalouani on Fayrouz Chtouki. The Senegalese Oumar Sarr Diallo took second place and the Malian Loubat Elbachir third. This race highlighted the participation of other African jockeys trained in Morocco, embodying the spirit of South-South cooperation.
During the awards ceremony, Omar Skalli, general director of SOREC, said he was proud of this event: “After two days of seminars and exhibitions, today we have the most important part, know the races. We have just finished the African Grand Prix, as well as an important race with jockeys from three African countries, three from Senegal, one from Mali and one from the Ivory Coast, trained in Morocco. This is part of our commitment to South-South cooperation, particularly in the field of horse breeding.”
The president of the ALA, Dramane Coulibaly, also director of the National Lottery of Côte d’Ivoire (LONACI), commented on the evolution of the event: “We are in the third edition of the African Grand Prix and we see continued improvements not only in organization but also in curation. This year we introduced an additional day of networking and presentations, allowing sponsors, participants and other stakeholders to connect and exchange ideas. Today’s African Grand Prix race was a success on all fronts.”
“I am very happy with this race. It was a great day and Briefing put in a great performance. She reacted well and helped me get the victory. I gave everything and together we achieved this victory. I thank SOREC and everyone involved in organizing this event.”
Jaouad Khayate, Moroccan jockey
Saturday’s races at the Marrakech Hippodrome marked the close of the third edition of the African Grand Prix, an event which highlights partnerships between African lotteries and promotes horse racing across the continent. Launched on Thursday, October 31 at the National Stud in the ocher city, the event attracted 12 African delegations, including representatives of national lotteries, ministries and private sector players.
