In what some political observers are calling a symbolic victory, President Bola Tinubu’s horse “Renewed Hope” has galloped its way to victory at the 2025 International Horse Derby in Yola – leaving Nigerians wondering if the President’s similarly-named economic agenda might race ahead with equal success.
The prestigious event, held at the Lamido Aliyu Mustapha International Race Course, saw Tinubu’s namesake thoroughbred outpace an impressive international field. While the horse’s performance has been stellar, citizens are playfully speculating whether this victory might be an auspicious sign for the President’s “Renewed Hope” policy agenda, which is still in the running to prove itself.
According to Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-Bida, the national coordinator of the Horse Racing Federation of Nigeria (HFN), the competition featured generous rewards, with category winners receiving Toyota saloon vehicles and substantial cash prizes ranging from N350,000 to N700,000.
A horse from Niger Republic, Lamin Kazim, secured second place under the Sudan stable, while Cameroon made its presence felt with over 100 horses in participation. The Sarkin Dawakin Nupe’s entry dominated the SD stables Talon category with an impressive 200-metre lead.
As one spectator quipped, “If only economic policies could sprint as fast as this horse – we’d be in for quite a ride!”
