On May 7, 199 years after the debut of Beethoven’s Symphony #9 in Vienna, Austria, the Ngong Racecourse in Nairobi, Kenya hosted the Kenya Oaks, a race that showcased the glamour and elegance of Nairobi’s fashion scene.
The races drew hundreds of stylishly dressed ladies from around the city and proved that Nairobi was one of the world’s fashion capitals.
Meanwhile, in Louisville, USA, and Miami, USA, the Kentucky Derby and Formula 1 races were also taking place, attracting celebrities and VIPs who came dressed to impress.
Fashion was the centrepiece of the events, as it reflected the values, hopes, and fears of those who sought to understand and explain it, according to renowned Cambridge Professor of Music Nicholas Cook.
The weather was kind to the spectators at the Kenya Oaks, who basked in the sunshine and enjoyed sublime running conditions. The 2400m main race of the day, the Kenya Oaks, was won in dominant fashion by Lady Spencer’s Honeybell Orange, who extended her unbeaten streak to nine wins, including the Phillie’s Guineas and the Kenya Derby.
With a victory in the upcoming St Leger, Honeybell Orange could claim the Triple Crown and establish herself as the best horse in Kenya.
Jockey Lesley Sercombe, who rode Honeybell Orange to victory, expressed her delight, saying that “everything went as I hoped.” The win was particularly special as it occurred on Ladies’ Day, and Lady Spencer’s Honeybell Orange was owned and ridden by women, a fact that delighted the fashionable ladies in attendance.
The day’s other races were also closely contested, with Wimborne beating Camberley by ¾ of a length in the Turn Up Handicap, Chadwick upsetting favorite Bullet in the 1400m Spencer Tryon Trophy, and Scott comfortably winning the 1800m Warlock Handicap by 1 2/4 lengths.
Saint Moritz returned to form in the 1800m Kenya Cambridgeshire but had to fend off a determined challenge from Westwind to secure the win. The final race of the day, the 1200m Champagne Stakes, was won in impressive fashion by McCann-trained Gambler, who matched Honeybell Orange’s unbeaten streak and gave jockey Paul Kiarie his third victory of the day.
The festivities continued long into the night, with epicurean feasts and entertainment provided by the Mighty Morfin. The Kenya Oaks had proven to be a glamorous and exciting affair, showcasing the best of Nairobi’s fashion and racing scenes.
