Founder of Rising Sun Turf Club passes on

The horse racing fraternity was thrown into mourning on Tuesday morning following news of the passing of Insanally Habibula, the founder of the Rising Sun Turf Club.

He was 89.

Habibula, popularly known as ‘Sunny’, founded the Rising Sun Turf Club in the early 1970s.

Habibula used to race at Durban Park and after that facility closed, he was instrumental in helping to revive the sport in the country.

Habibula’s son Fazal said, “He was a fantastic father and a good father figure to many.”

Fazal added that his father made a significant contribution to horse racing, both on the track and in administration.

In August, Habibula was spotted at the Rising Sun Turf Club witnessing the return of the Guyana Cup, which was held for the first time since 2019 due to the advent of COVID-19.

In March, the horse racing also lost a giant of the sport, with the passing of Justice Cecil Kennard, who was president of the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club at the time. He was 86.