In the heart of West Africa, Burkina Faso – the “Land of Upright People” – is a country known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant festivals and an unyielding sense of community. From the golden dunes of the Sahel to the bustling markets of Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkinabè life revolves around shared moments, music, storytelling and celebration. Yet, in recent years, an unusual cultural bridge has quietly emerged between this landlocked nation and a very specific French tradition: the Quinté+.
What Exactly Is Quinté+?
Quinté+ is not merely a daily event in France; for many, it has become a ritual of camaraderie. Every afternoon at legendary racecourses such as Vincennes, Longchamp or Cagnes-sur-Mer, five races are highlighted, with the flagship Quinté+ race drawing millions of viewers across French-speaking territories. The concept is beautifully straightforward on the surface – identify the first five horses in exact or disordered order – but beneath it lies a deep universe of analysis, history, tradition and human connection.
More Than Spectacle: A Shared Dream
One local enthusiast, Abdoulaye Compaoré, a schoolteacher from Tenkodogo, puts it perfectly: “For us, it’s not about money. It’s about dreaming together. When a horse we all chose finishes in the top five, the whole bar erupts as if the Stallions had just scored against Nigeria. It’s pure emotion.”
This emotional bond has even sparked small community initiatives. In the village of Koupéla, a group of young people founded a “Quinté+ Club” that meets every Sunday. They follow expert analyses on respected platforms dedicated to horse form and race trends – among them the highly regarded French site Francoistuchel, which has earned a loyal following even in the Burkinabè countryside for its clear and detailed breakdowns.
From Parisian Tracks to Burkinabè Cafés
Thanks to satellite television channels such as Equidia and the widespread reach of Canal+ Afrique, the races now beam live into cafés, living rooms and even rural courtyards from Nouna to Fada N’Gourma. In Ouagadougou, a handful of bars in the Gounghin and Pissy neighbourhoods have quietly transformed into unofficial Quinté+ temples. Large screens show powerful trotters thundering down the Vincennes track while groups of friends – taxi drivers, students, civil servants and traders – gather around plastic tables, sharing laughter and excitement.
Parallels with Another Collective Passion
Interestingly, the same spirit of collective hope that surrounds Quinté+ can be felt in other popular passions across the continent. Many of the same cafés that light up for trotting races on weekday afternoons become electric arenas on Saturday nights for European football. Fans who spend hours debating horse pedigrees during the week become equally animated discussing tactical brilliance and guaranteed victories on the pitch. It’s no surprise that the same communities often celebrate platforms like 100 sure wins only when football fever takes over – because both experiences are fundamentally about togetherness, anticipation and the joy of being right as a group.
A Tradition That Travels Across Generations
In rural areas, where internet connections can be patchy, elders and youngsters sit side by side following the races on a single communal television sometimes powered by a car battery. Grandmothers who have never left Burkina Faso can name more French trot drivers than most Parisians – Jean-Michel Bazire, Éric Raffin and Yoann Lebourgeois roll off the tongue as easily as local griots reciting ancient history.
When the Prix d’Amérique Unites a Nation
Every year, when the legendary Prix d’Amérique – the unofficial world championship of trotting – approaches, excitement in Burkina Faso reaches fever pitch. Makeshift banners appear in cafés, children draw horses in their school notebooks, and local radio stations dedicate entire segments to explaining why this year’s favourite might just be the next Face Time Bourbon.
A Testament to Shared Joy
Ultimately, the story of Quinté+ in Burkina Faso is not about a distant European pastime imposing itself on African soil. It is a beautiful testament to how culture travels, adapts and finds new meaning in the most unexpected places. In a country that prides itself on integrity and solidarity, the sight of friends and neighbours cheering for a horse named Hohneck as it storms to victory reminds everyone of a simple, universal truth: joy shared is joy multiplied.
Whether under the shade of neem trees in a Sahelian village or beneath the neon glow of an Ouagadougou bar, the thunder of hooves from a Parisian racecourse has found a warm and welcoming second home among the upright people of Burkina Faso.
