Horse Racing · History
History of Horse Racing in Nigeria
From the Lagos Race Course of 1859 to the Kaduna derby: how racing has shaped Nigerian sport and history.
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Checked 30 September 2026
The Lagos Race Course
In 1859 Oba Dosunmu granted colonial authorities the land that became the Lagos Race Course. Its track, about seven to eight furlongs around, staged horse racing alongside football, cricket and Empire Day parades. On 1 October 1960 the Race Course hosted Nigeria’s independence celebrations, where Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa spoke. Under General Yakubu Gowon the track was demolished, and in 1972 Tafawa Balewa Square was built on the site.
Racing in the north
In the north, the Durbar tradition has long celebrated horsemanship. The Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria credits the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, with bringing organised racing to Kaduna in 1953, and every racing season still closes there in his memory.
Racing today
The Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, founded in 2019, runs the Sahel Savannah Series, with races for thoroughbreds and local breeds. From 11 to 14 July 2025 its international derby in Kaduna brought horses from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, and the federation plans a Grade One derby in the style of Royal Ascot and the Kentucky Derby.
| Place | Horse | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Renewed Hope | Car, cup and cash prize |
| 2nd | Sarauinya | N1,000,000 |
| 3rd | Holiday Parade | N700,000 |
| 4th | Nawal | N500,000 |
Verified timeline · checked 30 September 2026
Nigerian horse racing timeline
- 1859Oba Dosunmu grants the land that becomes the Lagos Race Course.
- Colonial eraHorse races, Empire Day parades, football and cricket are held at the Lagos Race Course.
- 1953The Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, brings organised horse racing to Kaduna.
- 1 October 1960Nigeria’s independence is celebrated at the Race Course.
- 1972Tafawa Balewa Square is built on the site of the Lagos racing track.
- 2019The Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria is founded.
- 2024The federation’s series races in Bida, Niger State.
- July 2025An international derby in Kaduna draws horses from Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.
Checked 30 September 2026
Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games and African Games
Horse racing is not an event at the Commonwealth Games or the African Games. Equestrian sport was held at the African Games only once, in Rabat in 2019, and Nigeria did not take part. Polo, Nigeria’s best-known horse sport, is also outside both Games.
| Games | Nigeria’s record |
|---|---|
| Commonwealth Games | Never on the programme |
| African Games | Equestrian held only in 2019; Nigeria did not take part |
The next African Games are in Cairo, Egypt, from 20 January to 7 February 2027. See the full medal stories on our Commonwealth Games and African Games pages.
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Quick answers
History of Nigerian horse racing: quick answers
When did horse racing start in Kaduna?
According to the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, brought horse racing to Kaduna in 1953, which is why each racing season still ends there.
Where was the Lagos Race Course?
On the site of today’s Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island. The track was about seven to eight furlongs around and was demolished to build the square in 1972.
What is the Sahel Savannah Series?
The Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria’s international racing series. The 2025 Kaduna meeting ran from 11 to 14 July with races for thoroughbreds and local breeds, and horses from Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.
Is horse racing part of the African Games?
No. Horse racing has never been an African Games event. Equestrian was held once, in Rabat in 2019, without Nigeria.