Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, known for its rich culture, diverse wildlife, and vibrant economy. But did you know that it is also home to one of the most exciting and popular sports in the continent? Yes, we are talking about horse racing, or turf as it is commonly called.
Horse racing is a tradition that dates back to the pre-colonial era, when the Mossi people, the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, used horses for warfare and transportation. Today, horse racing is a source of entertainment, pride, and income for many Burkinabé people, who flock to the racetracks to watch and bet on their favorite horses.
In this blog post, we will give you an overview of the burkina faso turf scene, including its history, its main events, its best horses and jockeys, and its tips and tricks for winning big. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned bettor, you will find something useful and interesting in this guide.
The History of Burkina Faso Turf
The first official horse race in Burkina Faso was held in 1958, when the country was still a French colony known as Upper Volta. The race was organized by the French colonial administration to celebrate the visit of General Charles de Gaulle, the president of France at the time. The race took place at the Hippodrome de Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, which remains the main venue for horse racing in the country.
Since then, horse racing has grown in popularity and professionalism, with the establishment of several associations and federations to regulate and promote the sport. The most important of these is the Fédération Burkinabé des Sports Equestres (FBSE), which was founded in 1974 and is affiliated with the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). The FBSE oversees all aspects of horse racing in Burkina Faso, including breeding, training, licensing, doping control, and prize money distribution.
The FBSE also organizes the national championship of horse racing, which consists of several races throughout the year in different categories and distances. The most prestigious of these races is the Grand Prix du Président du Faso, which is held every year on December 11th, the national day of Burkina Faso. The race attracts the best horses and jockeys from Burkina Faso and neighboring countries such as Mali, Niger, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. The winner of the Grand Prix du Président du Faso receives a trophy and a cash prize of 10 million CFA francs (about 17,000 US dollars).
The Main Events of Burkina Faso Turf
Besides the national championship, there are other major events that draw large crowds and media attention to the burkina faso turf scene. Some of these events are:
- The Grand Prix de la LONAB: This is a race sponsored by the Loterie Nationale Burkinabé (LONAB), the national lottery company of Burkina Faso. The race is held every year on January 1st at the Hippodrome de Ouagadougou and features horses from all over West Africa. The winner of the Grand Prix de la LONAB receives a trophy and a cash prize of 5 million CFA francs (about 8,500 US dollars).
- The Grand Prix du PMU’B: This is a race sponsored by the Pari Mutuel Urbain du Burkina (PMU’B), the state-owned company that operates horse betting in Burkina Faso. The race is held every year on May 1st at the Hippodrome de Ouagadougou and features horses from Burkina Faso only. The winner of the Grand Prix du PMU’B receives a trophy and a cash prize of 3 million CFA francs (about 5,100 US dollars).
- The Grand Prix du Burkina Galop: This is a race sponsored by Burkina Galop, a private company that promotes horse racing in Burkina Faso. The race is held every year on October 15th at the Hippodrome de Ouagadougou and features horses from Burkina Faso only. The winner of the Grand Prix du Burkina Galop receives a trophy and a cash prize of 2 million CFA francs (about 3,400 US dollars).
The Best Horses and Jockeys of Burkina Faso Turf
Burkina Faso has produced some remarkable horses and jockeys that have made their mark on the burkina faso turf scene and beyond. Some of them are:
- Minarik: This is a legendary horse that dominated the burkina faso turf scene in the 1990s and early 2000s. Minarik won several races, including the Grand Prix du Président du Faso four times, the Grand Prix de la LONAB three times, and the Grand Prix du PMU’B twice. Minarik was owned by Abdoulaye Soulama, a prominent businessman and politician in Burkina Faso. Minarik died in 2008 at the age of 18.
- Sos Pmu: This is a horse that has been making waves in the burkina faso turf scene since 2016. Sos Pmu has won several races, including the Grand Prix du Président du Faso twice, the Grand Prix de la LONAB once, and the Grand Prix du PMU’B once. Sos Pmu is owned by Souleymane Ouédraogo, a young entrepreneur and horse lover in Burkina Faso.
- Abdoulaye Traoré: This is a jockey that has been riding horses since he was a child. Abdoulaye Traoré has won several races, including the Grand Prix du Président du Faso three times, the Grand Prix de la LONAB twice, and the Grand Prix du PMU’B once. Abdoulaye Traoré is considered one of the best jockeys in West Africa and has represented Burkina Faso in international competitions such as the African Championship of Horse Racing.
The Tips and Tricks for Winning Big at Burkina Faso Turf
If you are interested in betting on horse racing in Burkina Faso, you will need to know some tips and tricks to increase your chances of winning big. Here are some of them:
- Study the form: This means analyzing the past performance of the horses and jockeys, such as their wins, losses, times, distances, and conditions. You can find this information on various websites and publications that specialize in burkina faso turf, such as Burkina Faso Turf, Faso Top Pmu, Info Pmu Quinté, and Turf Universel. You can also consult the experts and insiders who give their opinions and predictions on these platforms.
- Choose your bet type: There are different types of bets you can place on horse racing in Burkina Faso, such as simple (win or place), couplé (two horses in any order), trio (three horses in any order), quarté (four horses in any order), quinté (five horses in any order), multi (four to seven horses in any order), and jackpot (a combination of bets). You can choose the bet type that suits your budget and risk appetite, but remember that the higher the odds, the lower the probability of winning.
- Follow your intuition: Sometimes, you may have a gut feeling or a hunch about a certain horse or jockey that may not be based on any logical or statistical reasoning. This is called intuition, and it can be a powerful ally or a dangerous enemy when it comes to betting on horse racing. You can follow your intuition if you feel confident and lucky, but you should also be prepared to lose if your intuition turns out to be wrong.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post on burkina faso turf and learned something new and useful. If you are a fan of horse racing or want to become one, we invite you to visit Burkina Faso and experience the thrill and excitement of this sport firsthand. You will not regret it!