Purple Blooms, Pink Ribbons and the Thrill of the Race . . .an afternoon of horse racing, music and cancer awareness

Horse racing correspondent

The usually quiet Borrowdale Racecourse is set to trade its tranquillity for a thrilling fusion of horse racing, fashion, music, lifestyle and breast cancer awareness on Saturday as it hosts the inaugural Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons Horse Race.

At the heart of the event will be the ZimBho Purple Bloom Cup and the Cancerserve Pink Ribbon Cup, bringing together the excitement of the track and the vital cause of breast cancer awareness. The event is being organised by Mashonaland Turf Club (MTC), Turf Culture Africa, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), Magitare Africa Trust and Cancerserve Trust.

Speaking about the event, Ms Tendayi Hlupo-Mamvura, the brains behind the event, said: “On Saturday, 24 October 2026, Borrowdale Park Racecourse will host Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons, a horse-racing and lifestyle experience that seeks to reconnect Zimbabweans with the sport while celebrating Harare’s magnificent jacaranda season and raising awareness of breast cancer.

“To spice up the event, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is joining hands with the organisers, including Mashonaland Turf Club and Turf Culture Africa, to pilot the ZimBho Purple Bloom collaboration, positioning the race meeting as an opportunity to promote domestic tourism and encourage Zimbabweans to rediscover the attractions of their own capital city.

“The collaboration brings together two ambitions – the revival of Zimbabwe’s horse-racing culture and the promotion of domestic tourism through distinctive local experiences. At its centre will be the ZimBho Purple Bloom Cup, one of two feature races scheduled for the day.

“The initiative has the potential to grow beyond a single race meeting into an annual celebration of Harare’s jacaranda season, attracting visitors from across Zimbabwe to experience the city’s beauty, hospitality, entertainment, culture and sporting heritage. It represents an opportunity to turn an existing sporting institution into the anchor of a broader tourism experience.

“Perhaps most importantly, it seeks to demonstrate that horse racing belongs not only to owners, trainers and established enthusiasts, but can be embraced and enjoyed by ordinary Zimbabweans as part of their own sporting and social culture.”

Not an ordinary afternoon

It’s not going to be an ordinary horse racing day. The Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons programme promises a memorable afternoon combining competitive horse racing, fashion, live music, hospitality and social interaction. The racing programme is expected to feature six exciting thoroughbred races, beginning at midday. The provisional schedule is:

“The programme is subject to final racing declarations and operational confirmation. The two feature races will provide an opportunity to showcase some of the horses, owners, trainers and jockeys currently involved in Zimbabwean racing. The nominated horses for these races will be announced in due course.

“As you know, fashion has always been associated with major international race meetings. From elegant dresses and stylish suits to elaborate hats and fascinators, race-day fashion adds colour, creativity and excitement to the sporting occasion.

“Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons will embrace this tradition, encouraging guests to incorporate purple and pink into their outfits. Fashion presentations will be integrated into the afternoon’s programme, allowing local designers and fashion businesses to showcase their work.

“The intention is to celebrate Zimbabwean creativity while maintaining the importance of the racing itself. Guests are encouraged to dress elegantly, express their individuality and enjoy the visual spectacle of a fashionable day at the races.

“In addition, the programme will feature performances by leading Zimbabwean musicians, including; Feli Nandi, who will also participate in the fashion showcase; Victor Kunonga who will bring his distinctive guitar-driven musical style and Shami Tuku, contributing to the celebration of contemporary Zimbabwean music. The principal main-stage entertainment programme is planned for approximately 16:00 to 20:00, following the racing activities.

“As organisers, we are also creating opportunities for guests to enjoy food, refreshments, shopping and social interaction throughout the afternoon. Different spectator enclosures will provide varying levels of access and hospitality. These include arrangements associated with the Golden Circle, Diamond Enclosure, Parkview VVIP and the traditional Ipi Tombe racing facilities.

“The event will also provide opportunities for retail exhibitors and participating businesses to engage with visitors. We want to deliver a well-managed, enjoyable and memorable race-day experience. The ambition is not simply to bring people to Borrowdale for one afternoon, but to give them a compelling reason to become horse racing fans,” said Tendayi, who is a proud horse owner.

Racing for a greater cause

What makes the day even more special is that beyond the thrill of the races, it will champion a greater cause – raising cancer awareness and spreading a message of hope.

“The second major feature race, the Cancerserve Pink Ribbon Cup, will be contested over 1,800 metres. The race carries an important message of solidarity with individuals and families affected by cancer.

“Cancerserve Trust is a Zimbabwean organisation involved in cancer awareness, advocacy and support for patients facing the challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment. Cancer often places enormous financial and emotional pressure on individuals and their families.

“Beyond the medical costs of treatment, patients may face expenses associated with diagnostic investigations, medication, transportation, nutrition and ongoing care. The pressures can be particularly challenging for patients relying on public healthcare facilities or those with limited financial resources.

“Through the Cancerserve Pink Ribbon Cup, the organisers hope to use the visibility of horse racing to strengthen awareness of breast cancer and encourage practical support for affected individuals and families. The initiative also seeks to emphasise the importance of screening, early detection and timely access to appropriate medical care.

“The partnership reflects the belief that sporting and social events can provide meaningful platforms for social responsibility. An enjoyable afternoon at the races can simultaneously raise awareness of important health issues and encourage communities to support those in need.

“And so, the ZimBho Purple Bloom Cup celebrates the beauty of Zimbabwe and the potential of domestic tourism. The Cancerserve Pink Ribbon Cup celebrates compassion, awareness and the importance of supporting life. Together, they capture the wider purpose of the event.”

When tourism meets horse racing

Tendayi explained how tourism comes into the mix: “One of the most significant developments surrounding the Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons meeting is the involvement of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Through its established ZimBho domestic tourism campaign, the Authority has been encouraging Zimbabweans to explore their own country, discover new destinations and appreciate the many attractions available within Zimbabwe.

“The campaign’s message, Shanya/Vakatsha, is an invitation for Zimbabweans to travel, explore and enjoy the country. The collaboration with Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons provides an opportunity to bring that message to life through a distinctive sporting and lifestyle experience in Harare.

“Rather than viewing domestic tourism exclusively through the traditional lens of visiting resorts, national parks and major tourist destinations, the initiative seeks to highlight the tourism potential of local sporting events, seasonal attractions, cultural experiences and city-based recreation.”

She added: “Every October, Harare undergoes one of its most spectacular seasonal transformations. Its famous jacaranda trees burst into bloom, creating stunning canopies of purple flowers along streets and avenues throughout the city. For generations, these jacaranda-lined roads have formed part of Harare’s identity. The trees bring colour, beauty and a distinctive seasonal atmosphere to the capital.

“Yet, despite their appeal, the jacaranda blossoms have not been fully developed into a coordinated tourism attraction. As organisers, we believe that this natural spectacle presents an opportunity to encourage Zimbabweans from other parts of the country to visit Harare specifically during the blooming season.

“The jacarandas provide the setting. Borrowdale Racecourse provides the sporting attraction. Zimbabwean fashion, music, hospitality and cultural activities provide the complementary experiences. Together, these elements have the potential to create a tourism product that is uniquely associated with Harare.”

Going down memory lane

The Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons Horse Race will take racing enthusiasts down memory lane.  For many years, horse racing occupied a distinctive place in Zimbabwe’s sporting and social history.

There was a time when an afternoon at the races was one of the most eagerly anticipated occasions on Harare’s social calendar. Families gathered at Borrowdale, owners proudly followed their horses, fashionable racegoers filled the grandstands, and the excitement of thoroughbred racing brought people together across generations.

During its peak, the industry reportedly supported more than 400 racehorses in training, approximately 20 licensed trainers and a substantial thoroughbred breeding sector. Historical accounts indicate that the country’s breeding establishments collectively maintained around 600 broodmares, while annual yearling sales attracted significant interest.

Zimbabwe also had an apprentice jockey training system and an established racing programme supported by commercial sponsorship and betting revenues. Horse racing took place in both Harare and Bulawayo, with Ascot Racecourse providing another important centre for the sport. Borrowdale’s major fixtures became important occasions in Zimbabwe’s sporting calendar.

Among the best-known were the Castle Tankard, the OK Grand Challenge, the Republic Cup and the traditional Triple Crown series, comprising the Zimbabwe Guineas, Zimbabwe 2000 and Zimbabwe Derby.

No discussion of Zimbabwe’s racing heritage would be complete without mentioning Ipi Tombe – Zimbabwe’s international racing legend. Bred in Zimbabwe in 1998, the remarkable mare began her racing career at Borrowdale before achieving international prominence.

Said Tendayi: “Ipi Tombe captured the prestigious Durban July in South Africa in 2002 and subsequently won the Dubai Duty Free Stakes in 2003. Her success demonstrated that Zimbabwe can produce thoroughbreds capable of competing at the highest international level.

“Ipi Tombe remains an enduring symbol of Zimbabwe’s contribution to international horse racing. Her achievements, together with those of other outstanding horses, form an important part of a sporting heritage that deserves to be preserved and celebrated.”

However, over the years, horse racing faced a myriad of challenges and lost its appeal to the general public. Only horse racing fanatics visited Borrowdale Racecourse for few selected races.

“Despite the challenges, the Mashonaland Turf Club has remained committed to safeguarding Zimbabwe’s racing heritage. In recent years, the club and its supporters have undertaken initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable financial foundation for racing.

“These have included developing alternative revenue streams through property and commercial activities, allowing the club to reduce its dependence on traditional betting income. The club has also worked to improve racing prize money and create stronger incentives for current and prospective owners.

“The Mashonaland Turf Club’s work to rebuild the sporting and commercial foundations of racing can therefore be complemented by initiatives that rebuild the culture of attending the races. The collaboration between Turf Culture Africa, Mashonaland Turf Club and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is an example of this approach.

Looking into the future

The organisers are already looking into the future with optimism. A visibly excited Tendayi said: “The 2026 event is envisaged as a pilot that could provide the foundation for a much larger annual tourism initiative. The intention is to test a model in which an established horse-racing meeting becomes the anchor of a coordinated programme promoting Harare during jacaranda season.

“Over time, the concept could expand to include curated city experiences, guided visits to notable jacaranda-lined avenues, photographic activities, fashion showcases, cultural exhibitions, food experiences, live entertainment and other tourism attractions. The objective would be to encourage visitors to explore Harare beyond the racecourse itself.

“Visitors travelling from Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Kwekwe and other parts of Zimbabwe could be encouraged to spend a weekend in the capital, experiencing its hospitality, attractions, restaurants, entertainment and sporting calendar.

“The initiative could ultimately create opportunities for accommodation providers, restaurants, travel operators, retailers, photographers, designers, musicians, transport operators and small businesses. This is particularly important because a sustainable tourism attraction should create benefits beyond the principal event organisers.

“The wider ambition is to establish a recognisable seasonal experience that encourages tourism spending, supports local enterprise and creates lasting value for the city. This pilot event seeks to test whether Harare’s beautiful jacaranda season can be transformed into an annual destination experience, with Borrowdale Racecourse as one of its principal attractions.”

Tendayi had a message for those who have never visited Borrowdale Racecourse: “For those who have never visited Borrowdale Racecourse, as organisers, our message is simple:

“You do not need to know anything about horse racing to enjoy a day at the races. You do not need to understand bloodlines, pedigrees, handicapping or racing statistics. You do not need to own a horse or place a bet. All you need is a willingness to experience something different.

“There is an extraordinary sense of anticipation as the horses enter the starting gates. Then, in a moment, they are off. The powerful thoroughbreds charge down the track, their jockeys guiding them towards the finishing straight.

“As the horses approach the finish line, the excitement builds and spectators find themselves cheering. It is a thrilling sporting spectacle, made even more remarkable when one appreciates the months of preparation involved.

“For newcomers, Purple Bloom & Pink Ribbons provides an opportunity to experience this excitement in an environment that also offers fashion, music, hospitality and social interaction.

“Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, experience the atmosphere around the races, watch the horses in the parade ring, meet members of the racing community and learn more about the sport. The event is an invitation to families, friends, couples, social groups, young professionals and anyone looking for a different way to spend a Saturday.

“Come in your favourite shades of purple and pink. Enjoy the excitement of the races. Celebrate Harare’s spectacular jacaranda season. Experience Zimbabwean fashion and music. Support the important message of breast-cancer awareness. And perhaps discover a new sporting passion.”

This is going to be more than just a race day; it is the dawn of a new era set to redefine racing culture at Borrowdale Race Course. With fresh experiences, exciting possibilities and a greater cause to champion, the future of racing has never looked more thrilling. Exciting times are beckoning!