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| The famous Maiden Cup |
"When the horses are racing, all Mauritian hearts beat as one," says one observer of this country's favorite sport. Shelly and I were part of that heartbeat at the busiest day at the horseraces in at the
Mauritius Turf Club's Port Louis racetrack. Guests of the
Serge Henry Stables, we enjoyed being dressed "to the nines" and placing small bets on big animals. The sixth race was the annual Maiden Cup, the Mauritius equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. Only the strongest, fastest horses were entered in this 2300 meter race, the likes of Acuppa, Captain's Knock, Senor Versace, and the Henry Stable's race favorite: Seattle Ice. It was a very fast race on a dry course, with all of the horses staying in a tight pack throughout the race. In the final 350 meters, Senor Versace came up on the outside from the seventh position to win it by a length. Naturally, our hosts were disappointed, but in elegant style, our stable's owner's family visited the winning stable's family suite (the Gujadhurs) after the races for a congratulatory toast and a look at the famous trophy. As the new diplomats from America, Shelly and I were royally entertained, and got to dine with owners of each of the major stables after the day's excitement. No matter that our bets went for naught---we were winners in just being there!
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| Senor Versace wins the Maiden Cup |
"When the horses are racing, all Mauritian hearts beat as one," says one observer of this country's favorite sport. Shelly and I were part of that heartbeat at the busiest day at the horseraces in at the Mauritius Turf Club's Port Louis racetrack. Guests of the Serge Henry Stables, we enjoyed being dressed "to the nines" and placing small bets on big animals. The sixth race was the annual Maiden Cup, the Mauritius equivalent of the Kentucky Derby. Only the strongest, fastest horses were entered in this 2300 meter race, the likes of Acuppa, Captain's Knock, Senor Versace, and the Henry Stable's race favorite: Seattle Ice. It was a very fast race on a dry course, with all of the horses staying in a tight pack throughout the race. In the final 350 meters, Senor Versace came up on the outside from the seventh position to win it by a length. Naturally, our hosts were disappointed, but in elegant style, our stable's owner's family visited the winning stable's family suite (the Gujadhurs) after the races for a congratulatory toast and a look at the famous trophy. As the new diplomats from America, Shelly and I were royally entertained, and got to dine with owners of each of the major stables after the day's excitement. No matter that our bets went for naught---we were winners in just being there!
Oh lovely! Of all of the hats that I have seen Shelly wear, this is the best! It takes the cake!
ReplyDeletelove, Sukey