Senegal Integrates Flagship Grand Prix Into National Betting Market
The 61st edition of the Grand Prix du Chef de l’État marks a major milestone as authorities roll out broader governance and infrastructure reforms across the racing sector.
Senegal’s premier horse-racing fixture, the Grand Prix du Chef de l’État, has been added to the country’s legal betting market for the first time.
The integration gives national lottery operator Loterie Nationale Sénégalaise (LONASE) a primary domestic focal point within its existing wagering infrastructure.
The announcement was made by Amadou Bissirou Fall, president of the National Management Committee of Horse Racing (CNG), as part of a state-backed initiative to professionalize the sport.
Event Highlights and Prize Purse
The 61st edition of the race took place at the Ndiaw Macodou Diop racecourse in Thiès under the official theme "Fair play, our greatest victory".
- Winner: Kii Kan La, ridden by jockey Fallou Diop and representing the Lambarfar stable, won the 2,650-metre contest.
- Prize Money: The winning stable received CFA9.8m ($16,800) alongside the event trophy. The Grand Prix carried a CFA20m ($34,300) allocation as part of a total CFA45m ($77,200) event funding package.
- Betting Offer: LONASE introduced a CFA5.598m ($9,600) Quinté jackpot tied to the event. The product integrates into LONASE’s broader Pari Mutuel Urbain (PMU) system, operated in partnership with French operator PMU since 2022.
Youth and Sports Minister Djirèye Coly represented President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the official ceremony.
Wider Sector Overhaul
The introduction of betting aligns with government efforts to transition domestic horse racing into a structured economic sector.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports highlighted the industry's potential to generate employment across breeding, logistics, craftsmanship, and event management. Key focus areas for the ongoing overhaul include:
- Infrastructure: Developing a modern racecourse facility built to international standards.
- Governance & Animal Welfare: Preparing the "Thiès Declaration" to establish updated standards for integrity and equine care.
- Training: Expanding professional development and vocational pathways for young people in the equine industry.
A general assembly is scheduled for September to finalize governance plans ahead of the upcoming horse-racing season, which commences on the first Sunday of December 2026.
For complete coverage of the race, you can watch the 61st Grand Prix du Chef de l'État Live Stream. This video provides full coverage of the 61st edition at the Ndiaw Macodou Diop racecourse in Thiès, showcasing the event's inaugural inclusion in Senegal's domestic betting framework.
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