The Royal Ascot Goat Races 2007
Sep 02, 2007
WHAT started as a small event for expatriate families, later attracting class A Ugandans, has finally embraced Class Z Ugandans, albeit with Class A egos— if the massive exodus and what transpired at the Royal Ascot Goat Races on Saturday is to go by.
WHAT started as a small event for expatriate families, later attracting class A Ugandans, has finally embraced Class Z Ugandans, albeit with Class A egos— if the massive exodus and what transpired at the Royal Ascot Goat Races on Saturday is to go by.
Speke Resort Munyonyo was a sea of human traffic. This year round, we had a fair representation of the phone dealers, Kikuubo traders and goat herders. Such is the allure of the goat races, considering until a fortnight ago, we never knew the goats would race this year.
Ironically, due to the presence of “everyoneâ€, there was nothing like decorum. Hospitality tents were forcefully broken into, waiters way-laid, free drinks hoarded, and the inevitable fights.
The Crane Bank/Gold Star Insurance tent with its endless flow of champagne and strawberries, like in previous years, was on form though it had to close early when the crowd became unruly.
Meanwhile, in the MTN tent, it took the personal intervention of CEO Noel Meier to assume the role of a ‘kanyama’ to ward off an invasion by gatecrashers.
The open hospitality tent, which housed among other companies, Midcom had a little secret.
With most of the Indian community teetotalers, the beer lovers had a field day. No surprises it was the last tent to run out of beer.
Nothing much changed from previous races. The crowd showed off bizarre costumes and indulged in drinking while paying little attention to the goats on the race track.
However, for the record, former Ziper model, Priscilla Ray turned up fully clothed! Another record — Ugandans Rita Kirabo and Nasser Mukalazi were the best dressed woman and man respectively.
For the second year running, property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia was bounced by a ‘dutiful’ but ignorant security guard from accessing his own tent without a tag. He duly laughed it off and instead tipped the errant guard for having guts.
There was another record. This was the first time in the history of the races in which it was screened live by UBC TV. Going from the feed back, callers in Lira were glued to the screens as they watched the races unravel.
One person called asking if the races were indeed happening in Uganda and not somewhere in South Africa. UBC for their efforts did a splendid job and must be commended for giving the nation an opportunity to watch the races.
Jerry Burley and Crystal Newman did an excellent job as commentators, while race organisers Ruparelia, John Griffin, Crane Bank managing director AR Kalan, Sanjiv Patel and Colin Davidson, who at the end of the day got more than a pat on the back for making the races a success.
The Kampala Kids League returned to winning ways; their goat won a sh2m race sponsored by Prime Stores. Other winning goats were Raps (sh2m), Ernst & Young (sh2m), Pissed (sh3m); Muhindi (sh6m) and Run, owned by Graphics Systems, won sh4m. A goat aptly named Reliable Service won sh4m in the Crane Bank classic.
Even when the goats stopped racing, there was one characteristic sight — the splendid 15-minute fireworks that got everybody looking into the skies. At the end of the day, that noble cause — Katalemwa Cheshire Home will be better off.
What happened in what tent
THE Royal Ascot Goat Race at Munonyo over the weekend lived up to its billing although the turn up was slightly down compared to last year’s.
Despite the ongoing CHOGM related construction at the site, the races went on with pomp and glee from excited socialites from all walks of life, but especially from the corporate class.
Also represented were people from downtown and Kikuubo business class, campusers, wanna be’s, holiday makers, who you could tell from their fashion and character. Hospitality tents as usual have a lot of showiness going on, what with the owners trying to impress guests visiting them.
Kampala Casino/utl
Kampala Casino tent in alliance with utl always has to look a class apart.
The Masai attire-clad bouncers with spears and shield imitation craft complete with a mean look stopped would be flukers from getting close. Simbangoma serenaded guests with live music in this tent where the utl and casino staff made sure food and drinks kept flowing.
Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance
Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance like last year had an endless flow of pink champagne and strawberries. Camped in the tent were the likes of Andrew Mwenda and ISO’s Teddi Cheeye.
However, the Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance tent closed early as the crowd became unruly and hard to manage.
In the owner’s enclosure, it was quiet and calm, perhaps because of the tight security at the entrance.
Drinks including champagne, spirits and wine kept patrons busy, including Casino Simba’s Russian dancers.
MTN
MTN’s tent set in deep yellow décor was quite a marvel and its food courtesy of Faze II was lip-smacking and aplenty considering that even at 6pm there was still something to nibble on.
Although that was the case, Noel Meier, the MD, did not tolerate any kind of sharing with revellers outside the tent or by its boundaries. MTV VJ finalist Charles Mwiyeretsi was one such victim.
Meier had spotted a female friend sharing food with Mwiyeretsi and warned her that she would find her way out soon.
Later, Meier made his threats real when at 7.25pm he literally lifted and threw out a white man amid shock from Saracen guards, who for a moment, have thought of recruiting Meier into their security firm.
This year, ex-miss Uganda winner Salma Nassanga had a hard time trying to access the yellow tent and even accosted Timothy Bukumunhe for assistance but it was a gentleman with Red Indian looks that saved her. Once in, she quickly settled for juice and snacks.
Kenya Airways/KLM
Sparkling in red near MTN was Kenya Airways/KLM, a serious contender for good décor and ambiance. Kampala Sheraton did their catering.
Speke Resort Munyonyo was a sea of human traffic. This year round, we had a fair representation of the phone dealers, Kikuubo traders and goat herders. Such is the allure of the goat races, considering until a fortnight ago, we never knew the goats would race this year.
Ironically, due to the presence of “everyoneâ€, there was nothing like decorum. Hospitality tents were forcefully broken into, waiters way-laid, free drinks hoarded, and the inevitable fights.
The Crane Bank/Gold Star Insurance tent with its endless flow of champagne and strawberries, like in previous years, was on form though it had to close early when the crowd became unruly.
Meanwhile, in the MTN tent, it took the personal intervention of CEO Noel Meier to assume the role of a ‘kanyama’ to ward off an invasion by gatecrashers.
The open hospitality tent, which housed among other companies, Midcom had a little secret.
With most of the Indian community teetotalers, the beer lovers had a field day. No surprises it was the last tent to run out of beer.
Nothing much changed from previous races. The crowd showed off bizarre costumes and indulged in drinking while paying little attention to the goats on the race track.
However, for the record, former Ziper model, Priscilla Ray turned up fully clothed! Another record — Ugandans Rita Kirabo and Nasser Mukalazi were the best dressed woman and man respectively.
For the second year running, property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia was bounced by a ‘dutiful’ but ignorant security guard from accessing his own tent without a tag. He duly laughed it off and instead tipped the errant guard for having guts.
There was another record. This was the first time in the history of the races in which it was screened live by UBC TV. Going from the feed back, callers in Lira were glued to the screens as they watched the races unravel.
One person called asking if the races were indeed happening in Uganda and not somewhere in South Africa. UBC for their efforts did a splendid job and must be commended for giving the nation an opportunity to watch the races.
Jerry Burley and Crystal Newman did an excellent job as commentators, while race organisers Ruparelia, John Griffin, Crane Bank managing director AR Kalan, Sanjiv Patel and Colin Davidson, who at the end of the day got more than a pat on the back for making the races a success.
The Kampala Kids League returned to winning ways; their goat won a sh2m race sponsored by Prime Stores. Other winning goats were Raps (sh2m), Ernst & Young (sh2m), Pissed (sh3m); Muhindi (sh6m) and Run, owned by Graphics Systems, won sh4m. A goat aptly named Reliable Service won sh4m in the Crane Bank classic.
Even when the goats stopped racing, there was one characteristic sight — the splendid 15-minute fireworks that got everybody looking into the skies. At the end of the day, that noble cause — Katalemwa Cheshire Home will be better off.
What happened in what tent
THE Royal Ascot Goat Race at Munonyo over the weekend lived up to its billing although the turn up was slightly down compared to last year’s.
Despite the ongoing CHOGM related construction at the site, the races went on with pomp and glee from excited socialites from all walks of life, but especially from the corporate class.
Also represented were people from downtown and Kikuubo business class, campusers, wanna be’s, holiday makers, who you could tell from their fashion and character. Hospitality tents as usual have a lot of showiness going on, what with the owners trying to impress guests visiting them.
Kampala Casino/utl
Kampala Casino tent in alliance with utl always has to look a class apart.
The Masai attire-clad bouncers with spears and shield imitation craft complete with a mean look stopped would be flukers from getting close. Simbangoma serenaded guests with live music in this tent where the utl and casino staff made sure food and drinks kept flowing.
Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance
Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance like last year had an endless flow of pink champagne and strawberries. Camped in the tent were the likes of Andrew Mwenda and ISO’s Teddi Cheeye.
However, the Crane Bank/Goldstar Insurance tent closed early as the crowd became unruly and hard to manage.
In the owner’s enclosure, it was quiet and calm, perhaps because of the tight security at the entrance.
Drinks including champagne, spirits and wine kept patrons busy, including Casino Simba’s Russian dancers.
MTN
MTN’s tent set in deep yellow décor was quite a marvel and its food courtesy of Faze II was lip-smacking and aplenty considering that even at 6pm there was still something to nibble on.
Although that was the case, Noel Meier, the MD, did not tolerate any kind of sharing with revellers outside the tent or by its boundaries. MTV VJ finalist Charles Mwiyeretsi was one such victim.
Meier had spotted a female friend sharing food with Mwiyeretsi and warned her that she would find her way out soon.
Later, Meier made his threats real when at 7.25pm he literally lifted and threw out a white man amid shock from Saracen guards, who for a moment, have thought of recruiting Meier into their security firm.
This year, ex-miss Uganda winner Salma Nassanga had a hard time trying to access the yellow tent and even accosted Timothy Bukumunhe for assistance but it was a gentleman with Red Indian looks that saved her. Once in, she quickly settled for juice and snacks.
Kenya Airways/KLM
Sparkling in red near MTN was Kenya Airways/KLM, a serious contender for good décor and ambiance. Kampala Sheraton did their catering.