The President of Chad, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the country’s horse racing industry during the Grand Prix de la République at the Afrouk racetrack near N’Djamena. The event drew thousands of enthusiasts, breeders, and riders, all gathered to witness the races before the Head of State announced an exceptional financial contribution to bolster this culturally significant sector.
Speaking on behalf of the President, the State Minister and Director of the Presidential Cabinet, Aziz Mahamat Saleh, unveiled a 50 million CFA franc investment aimed at supporting horse racing and enhancing the national equine breed. “The Republic’s leadership is fully committed to nurturing Chad’s horse racing heritage and improving our equine stock,” he declared to a captivated audience.
The announcement was warmly received by leaders of the Association of Breeders and Horse Racing Stakeholders of Chad (AEARCT), an organization founded in 1963 in Fort-Lamy—now N’Djamena—and recognized as the country’s first public utility association. AEARCT President Idriss Ahmed Idriss emphasized the association’s role as a longstanding “unifying force in Chadian society,” having united individuals from all walks of life over six decades.
He also highlighted the deep historical ties between the nation’s leadership and the equestrian world, noting that former President Ngarta Tombalbaye frequently hosted races during state visits, while President Idriss Déby Itno actively followed televised competitions. The association chief reserved particular praise for the ongoing construction of the new Afrouk racetrack, named “Hippodrome Hassan Guihini Khamis,” calling it the most significant milestone for horse sports in Chad’s history. Previously, activities were confined to the old N’Djamena racetrack or temporary venues.
“You are the first Head of State to inaugurate an infrastructure that will host equestrian sports, horse races, the AEARCT’s operations, and even an equestrian village,” Idriss Ahmed Idriss told the President, as the crowd erupted in applause. The association leader also called for sustainable financing mechanisms for the sector, drawing inspiration from pari-mutuel systems used in other countries to support horse racing.
Beyond its sporting significance, horse riding remains a cornerstone of tradition, livestock farming, and social life in many regions of Chad. The presence of the Head of State at Afrouk racetrack and the pledge of financial backing are seen as a clear endorsement of modernizing and professionalizing the country’s equine industry.
