Off they go at Castle Tankard

.
THEAï¿½ biggest and oldest most prominent horse race in Zimbabwe, the 55th edition of the Castle Tankard, will have a field of 12 local and international horses over the 2 000 metres distance on 6 May at the Borrowdale Race Course in Harare.

The race had 17 horses taking to the tracks in 2015, while 14 galloped last year.

Southern Africaaï¿½ï¿½s biggest horse race in terms of stakes prize money and racing entertainment, held a final acceptances event at the Borrowdale Race Course on Monday where the final field of horses and jockeys were unveiled.

Rock the Country, which has switched stables from Gorkan Terzi to Penny Fisher, and last yearaï¿½ï¿½s runners-up Mathematician of Bridget Stidoaï¿½ï¿½s stable, will begin as favourites to win the race.

Windigo came third last year and will be hoping for better fortunes this year. Cool Solution from Kirk Swanson stable, Duffiaï¿½ï¿½s Call, Eurakilon Comanche Brave and Wlde Tyle-the only Zimbabwean bred horse from the Amy Bronkhorst stable, Ashton Park and Lava Flow from the Penny Fisher stable and Royal Honour will be competing at the annual event.

Race sponsors Delta Beverages, who have once again poured in $50 000, said they were happy to be associated with the event, which is the only grade one horse race in the country.

aï¿½?The Castle Tankard horse race has left a formidable mark to reckon with in our racing fraternity. It has stood the test of time, and is growing bigger and better every year. It is a race with a history in our country. It is a race which has helped to develop communities around us through employment creation,aï¿½? said Delta Beverages general manager Munyaradzi Nyandoroh.

He added thatAï¿½ Castle Lager consumers were also set to win big on the day. Each year, the Castle Tankard comes with some exciting consumer promotion for both castle lager fans and punters.

This yearaï¿½ï¿½ event will be punctuatedAï¿½ with a lot of exciting activities which include live performances from Winky D, Sulumani Chimbetu, Andy Muridzo, DJ Elroy, and beauty makeover, fashion show, braai and dash for cash racing event.

Castle Lageraï¿½ï¿½s relationship with horse racing dates back to around 1904, when the Castle brand first played a significant role as an advertiser. The Castle Tankard Horse race has left a formidable mark to reckon with in the countryaï¿½ï¿½s horse racing.