The Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HRFN) says it has strengthened measures to prevent the use of performance-enhancing drugs by jockeys during competitions.

The National Coordinator of the federation, Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, disclosed this on Friday at the ongoing Kano Derby competition.

Mr Abubakar-Bida said the federation was collaborating with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to ensure jockeys do not compete under the influence of drugs.

He said the federation maintained a zero-tolerance policy against drug use in horse racing.

According to him, the collaboration with the anti-drug agency has yielded positive results, with participating jockeys testing negative during the competition.

Mr Abubakar-Bida, who is also the owner of Sarkin Dawaki Stable, said the federation remained committed to preserving the integrity of the sport.

He also said Nigeria had made remarkable progress in horse breeding, producing horses capable of competing favourably with some of the best on the continent.

He stated, “Horses bred in Nigeria over the last three years have attained speed and strength comparable to those from Sudan. Today, Nigeria has been able to breed horses whose speed are almost equivalent to that of Sudanese horses.

“The Sudanese horses are regarded as the second fastest in Africa, and our horses have caught up with them within just three years. This is a major achievement because Sudan has spent more than 30 years developing its horse breeding programme. It shows that Nigeria can compete anywhere in the world in terms of speed and agility.”

Mr Abubakar-Bida expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the federation, noting that horse racing was gaining wider acceptance across the country.

He added that the sport continued to engage youths positively, helping to reduce involvement in social vices such as dug abuse and cybercrime.

According to him, the competition has also boosted economic activities in Kano State.

Akilis of Madaki Stable, Kano State, won Race 9, Division III (Taloun da Kewaye, 6F–1200m), to claim the Sarkin Rano Cup.

Marcelo of Mr V Stable, Adamawa State, emerged winner of Race 10 to claim the Sarkin Gaya Cup, while Lautai of Bashar Turaki Stable, Jigawa State, won Race 11B for the Alhaji Abdulsalam Mohammed-Sadiq Cup.

Shaler and Tauraruwa, both from Ameer Stable, Katsina, claimed victories in Races 12 and 13 to win the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero Memorial Cup, and the late Audu Bako Memorial Cup, respectively.

Lailatur Qadri of S.D. Stable, Niger State, won Race 15 to claim the Alhaji Tajuddeen Dantata Cup.

Mutazis of Speedy Stable won Race 14 to lift the late Alhaji Usman Dantata Memorial Cup. 

(NAN)