Nairobi rings in Year of the Horse with racing at Ngong Racecourse

Jockeys on their horses, competing for the top spot

The Jockey Club of Kenya, alongside Kivuli Creative, sent Nairobi’s social scene galloping with a ‘Celebrate the Year of the Horse’ race day on Sunday, February 15, at the Ngong Racecourse.

Presented as a way to extend the Valentine’s Day weekend, the event attracted faces of different persuasions, from families and couples to fashion enthusiasts.

Guests arrived at East Africa’s only professional horse racing track to participate in an afternoon highlighted by thrilling races, chic outfits, great food, and laid-back vibes under clear skies.

Gates opened to the public at noon, and the main program ran until about 4:30 pm, before later descending into an evening of sundowners, music and continued celebrations.

Tickets were priced at Kshs. 900 at the gate, and advance options were available, including a tier that favoured students.

Like the fixtures before this, organizers stressed a smart, casual dress code, which encouraged elegant, yet approachable, looks that are characteristic of the fashion showcase that the race day is synonymous with.

The theme fittingly tied into the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Horse (2026) which symbolizes energy, freedom, and forward momentum, aligning with the growing interest in Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) traditions across Nairobi.

The annual early February race day often coincides with both the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day, and what makes this year extra special is because it is the Year of the Horse,” Alauna Dunphy, head of brand and production at Kivuli Creative, remarked. 

“What better way to celebrate the Chinese New Year and a weekend of love by capping it off at East Africa’s only race track cheering on the horses and having a great time,” she added.

Promotional materials highlighted how the day blended exhilarating horse racing with festive elements, such as, food and drink stalls, live music, family-friendly entertainment, and a well-curated pop-up market for shopping.

Additionally, racing action reflected the occasion with thematic names like ‘Year of the Horse Stakes’, ‘The Jade Handicap’, ‘The Golden Dragon Handicap’, ‘The Graham Trophy’,  and ‘The Chinese New Year Maiden’ for two-year-olds.

Fashion, which has proven to be a signature highlight of the race days, was embraced by attendees, taking it upon themselves to appear as “Nairobi’s best fashion”, as promoted by organizers.

The combination of racing thrills and people-watching created a charged, social atmosphere, bearing resemblance to past fixtures, for example, the Kenya Guineas.

Vendors also contributed to the positive energy, with one food partner from Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Westlands posting a recap noting, "We had an incredible time serving up irresistible flavours. Nothing beats seeing happy spectators enjoying our food and knowing we helped make race day even tastier. Good food, great crowds, unforgettable race day vibes."

The Jockey Club of Kenya (JCK) has been holding and regulating equestrian events for the better part of a century, evolving from its prior colonial genesis into a more inclusive, modern operation, merging both traditional racing and broader entertainment aspects.

Race days are typically held every alternate Sundays, with the The Fillies Guineas being held on Sunday, 22 February, and the much-anticipated and widely-popular Kenya Derby which will be hosted on Sunday, 19 April.

Furthermore, an exciting inclusion of these race days is the Afterparty, curated by Kivuli Creative that draws its own crowd.

“Our crowd numbers and energy have steadily improved under the efforts by Kivuli Creative, the agency behind the race day event at Ngong Racecourse. Even the rains didn’t stop the Afterparty, where our loyal crowd continued to dance well into the evening. ,” Dunphy highlighted.

With race days becoming increasingly popular, future fixtures promise an enjoyable experience for all people, with all facets of entertainment taken care of.

“Race days are a great experience for everyone. Once you attend a race day, we guarantee you’ll be back,” Dunphy stated.