Rwanda, a horse that is owned by Aditya P. Thackersey, impressed on Thursday, August 19, after winning the first round of the Feet of Flames Handicap Div-2 race – organised by the Madras race club in India.

Ridden by Imran Khan, Rwanda finished first in a group of eight horses in the category of horses aged four and up. Horse competitions in India take place through the year, and makes one of the country’s most lucrative sports.

According to Turf Authorities of India, Rwanda was trained by a one B. Suresh. It emerged top in Div-2 handicap after clocking 1 minute, 14 seconds and 56 microseconds to cover a distance of 1,200 metres.

A horse named ‘Fun Lover’ finished second with a time of 1 minute, 15 seconds and 35 microseconds.

Horse racing is a billion dollar industry. Data from horsey hooves indicates that horse racing in the United States alone contributes $36.6 billion to the economy every year.

Horse racing also employs some 472,000 people including jockeys, trainers, stewards, and racetrack food staff.