Ngong Racecourse #2: Some History
The customised bottle-top cache is hidden outside the main racecourse grounds in a tree near this 'historical' structure, a series of old steps/seats overgrown by vegetation overlooking a dirt roundabout or ring, the purpose of which is unknown.
To reach the cache location: take the main Ngong Road from central Nairobi as far as the racecourse access road at S 01 18.391 E 36 44.338. Pass through the entry/security gate (no charge) and proceed ahead to the parking area. If you wish to do the multi-cache GC5G47P Ngong racecourse #1: Familiarisation first then park @ S 01 18.714 E 36 44.523 near the steps accessing the racecourse grounds. Otherwise continue towards the cache location and park as close as you can.
There is no charge attached to accessing the area where this cache is hidden.
Kenya Horseracing History
- 1898-1901 1st races in Machakos with Somali ponies
- 1904 Horse racing starts in Kenya at Kariokor, Nairobi under the East African Turf Club
- 1914 1st Kenya Derby race
- 1919 1st stallion imported ('Trafalgar')
- 1921 East African Turf Club renamed Jockey Club of Kenya
- date? Gymkhana racing commences in Eldoret, Limuru, Nyahururu, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Njoro, Molo and Machakos (race meetings often associated with polo tournaments)
- 1954 Ngong Racecourse opens and racing moves there from Kariokor. Rules of racing updated and modernized
- 1956/57 Racing ceases in Eldoret and land surrendered to Government
- 1957 Kenya becomes 1st Commonwealth country to allow Sunday racing (previously racing was on Friday and Saturday)
- 1958 Racing ceases in Nakuru
- 1964 Photo-finish introduced
- 1960's Races for Kenyan-born riders are introduced. Medication control introduced with samples sent to UK
- 1978 Structure of JCK changes to Members Limited Company managed by Directors (stewards now only responsible for racing issues)
- 1984 JCK established veterinary services to improve breeding
- 1990 JCK Stud Book recognized by international Studbook
- 1990's Major importation of horses from Southern Africa
- 1992 Horse passports introduced. Rule on vaccination against Equine Influenza effected
1997 Established satellite link to broadcast overseas - primarily to South Africa - 2001 Adjacent business park opened
- 2003 JCK opens Kenya's 1st public golf course, inside the race track
- 2004 Major celebrations held for the JCK centenary
- 2005 Links established to enable punters in other countries to bet on Kenya racing
- 2006 Satellite broadcasting of RSA, UK, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Dubai races to Kenya punters at Ngong starts
- 2008 Kenya classic races opened to imported horses
- 2008 Kenyan-bred horses win races in South Africa
- 2011 Off-course betting starts