The President of Chad, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, reaffirmed on Sunday his commitment to boosting the nation’s horse racing sector during the Grand Prix de la République held at the Afrouk racetrack on the outskirts of N’Djamena. The event drew thousands of enthusiasts, breeders, and riders, all witnessing the competitions before the Head of State announced an exceptional financial package to support this cherished sporting and cultural heritage.
In a gesture symbolizing the government’s dedication, the State Minister and Director of the Presidency’s Cabinet, Aziz Mahamat Saleh, revealed a 50 million CFA franc allocation. This funding will enhance horse racing activities and improve the national equine breed, as declared before the assembled crowd.
« The President of the Republic is fully committed to advancing horse racing in Chad and enhancing our equine breed », the minister emphasized, underscoring the state’s proactive role in preserving and developing this tradition.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm by the leadership of the Chadian Horse Racing and Breeders Association (AEARCT), an organization founded in 1963 in Fort-Lamy—now N’Djamena—and recognized as a public utility organization. Speaking on behalf of the sector, AEARCT President Idriss Ahmed Idriss highlighted the association’s role as « a unifying force in Chadian society », bringing together individuals from all backgrounds over the past six decades.
The association’s leader also reflected on the historical ties between state authorities and the world of horse racing. He noted that former President Ngarta Tombalbaye frequently organized races during state visits, while President Idriss Déby Itno regularly followed televised competitions. The most significant recent development, according to Idriss Ahmed Idriss, is the ongoing construction of the new Afrouk racetrack, named the « Hippodrome Hassan Guihini Khamis », a project he described as the most impactful initiative ever undertaken for equestrian sports in Chad. Previously, the association’s activities were confined to the old N’Djamena racetrack or temporary venues.
« You are the first Head of State to inaugurate an infrastructure dedicated to equestrian sports, horse racing, the administrative hub of AEARCT, and even a hippic village », he declared to thunderous applause, acknowledging the historic significance of the project.
The association’s president also raised concerns about the need for sustainable funding mechanisms for the sector, suggesting models like pari-mutuel betting, widely used in other countries to support horse racing. Beyond its sporting dimension, horse racing holds deep cultural and social roots in Chad, where horses play a pivotal role in traditions, livestock farming, and community life.
The presence of the Head of State at the Afrouk racetrack and the pledge of financial support have been widely interpreted by industry stakeholders as a clear endorsement of the modernization and professionalization of Chad’s equine sector.
