Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze and Takudzwa Chitsiga
CHAMPION trainer Debra Swanson is not showing any signs of relenting.
Swanson yesterday underlined her dominance of the Castle Tankard after she fielded nine of the nominated 20 horses set to fight for honours in the race at the 2026 edition of the country’s premier horse race.
Set to run under the theme “Live it, feel it, share it”, the 66th edition of the competition is scheduled for May 9, at the iconic Borrowdale Race Course.
And Swanson, the defending champion, leads the pack with nine horses in the pool, while competitors Bridget Stidolph, Amy Parham and Thomas Mason are coming in with three runners each.
Interestingly last year, Swanson also led the competition after fielding eight of the 16 horses that took part in the race.
She fielded Action Zone, a five-year-old gelding with rider Mathew Thackeray, and won the US$50 000 in Southern Africa’s longest-sponsored horse race.
As a trainer Swanson is back again to defend her reputation along with that of the gelding. “We are happy that this year the competition has increased, this is perhaps the first in years that we have 20 horses running.
“It will not be an easy competition, but we are looking forward to best times on the day,” she said.
Swanson whose stable boasts of more than 20 horses, however, expressed concern with the financially straining horse breeding and racing industry.
Resultantly, competitions like the Castle Tankard offer them an opportunity to generate some income and offset some of their annual expenses.
“I am thankful to Delta, the sponsor who has stood with us for many years and made sure that things happen despite the economic outlook,” Swanson said.
“We always come full throttle aiming to compete to the best of our abilities for us to get something that can keep us going.
“However, above all else, it is all about sportsmanship and building bonds through the love for horse racing.”
Fellow trainer Mason is also looking forward to intense competition.
“It has been almost 10 years since we last had a field of more than 18 sprinters, including reserves, an indication that this competition is growing and attracting some attention,” he said.
“We are on the watch out for Action Zone, the defending champion because we know how strong and fast the horse is.
“Looking at the pool of 20, it will be big and more competitive so we will not underestimate any competitor; the noble thing to do is to come out full throttle.”
Delta Corporation Marketing Director Irimayi Muzorewa said the event has over the years grown to be the best regional horse racing showcase.
This year, he said, the sponsors have put up a US$50 000 package for the winning horse.
“The prestige and passion draw elite horses, skilled jockeys and dedicated trainers from across the region to compete for a US$50 000 stake,” said Muzorewa.
“Anticipation is already building as leading contenders prepare to chase one of the season’s most coveted trophies which we are proud to be part of.”
Artistes Alick Macheso, Nisha Ts and Ndunge Yut headline the post-race entertainment show, which caps off the Castle Tankard event.
