Gazi Race

The Gazi Race (Turkish: Gazi Koşusu) is a Turkish thoroughbred horse flat race that is established in honor of the founder of the Turkish Republic Gazi Mustafa Kemal. It is country's most prestigious horse racing event, which is held uninterruptedly since its establishment in 1927. Restricted to 22 three-year-old thoroughbred horses, it is raced clockwise at a distance of 2,400 m (2,600 yd) on turf (grass) track at the Veliefendi Race Course in Istanbul.[1]

Gazi Race
Gazi Koşusu
Thoroughbred horse flat race
LocationVeliefendi Race Course
Zeytinburnu, Istanbul
Turkey
InauguratedJune 10, 1927 (1927-06-10)
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Race information
Distance2,400 m (2,600 yd)
SurfaceTurf (grass) track
Trackright-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds
PurseTL 850,000 (approx. US$ 530,000 as of June 2011)
BonusesTL 100,000 conditional to the winner

History

Mustafa Kemal, founder of the Turkish Republic, was honored with the title Ghazi (Turkish: Gazi) in 1923 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly due to his successful command at the Turkish War of Independence. He used this title until 1934, when he was given the surname "Atatürk" (literally: Father of Turks) following the adoption of the Surname Law.

A fan of horse racing, Gazi Mustafa Kemal said "Horse racing is the social need for modern societies".[2] He organized horse races even during the years of the War of Independence in Ankara, in the new capital of modern Turkey.[3]

The first officially organized horse racing was run on June 10, 1927 in Ankara by British bred horses without age restriction over a distance of 2,000 m (2,200 yd). The money award was TL 2,000. The winner was jockey İhsan Atçı with racehorse "Neriman" owned by Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir, member of a renowned candy producing dynasty.[3][4]

In 1928, the event was run as an open race restricted to age and weight. Succeeding Turkish presidents, Celal Bayar in 1929 with "Cap Gris Nez" and İsmet İnönü in 1930 with "Olgo", were also among the winners of the Gazi Race.[3][4]

In 1932, the race was restricted to British thoroughbred three-year-old horses born in Turkey and was run over a distance of 2,400 yd (2,200 m). The prize was set to TL 5,000. In 1936, Gazi Race was held in the Ankara City Race Course (Ankara Şehir Hipodromu) constructed next to the Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.[3]

Whenever Atatürk was in Ankara, he enjoyed to observe horse racing. In 1938, the race was renamed "Atatürk Race". Since its inauguration, the event is held every year without interruption. Gazi Race was transferred in 1968 from Ankara to Istanbul's Veliefendi Race Course.[3][4]

Award

The winner of the race receives a purse in amount of TL 850,000 (approx. US$ 530,000 as of June 2011). In addition, a bonus payment totaling to about TL 533,500 (approx. US$ 333,000 as of June 2011) is given for breeding and enrollment expenses. Since 1970, a solid silver trophy in form of an equestrian statue depicting Gazi Mustafa Kemal is bestowed by the Turkish president. It was created by sculptor Mehmet Şadi Çalık (1917-1979).[1][4]

Records

Record holder of the Gazi Race is the thoroughbred horse "Bold Pilot" owned by Özdemir Atman that was run by jockey Halis Karataş (born 1972) at a time of 2.26.22 in 1996.[1][3][5]

Racehorse owner and breeder Sadık Eliyeşil (1925-2008) is the most winner of the Gazi Race with 13 titles:[3]

Year
 Racehorse
1950 Darling
1953 Kusun
1961 Atlıhan
1963 Melikşah
1964 Kayarlı
1971 Minimo
1972 Akkor
1973 Karayel
1976 Buğra
1982 Toraman
1984 Cartagena
1986 Hafız
2005 Popular Demand

Mümin Çılgın (born 1935) is the most successful jockey of the Gazi Race with nine wins:[3][6]

Year
 Racehorse
1960 Helene De Troia
1965 Apaçi
1974 Nadas
1979 Dr. Seferof
1981 Dersim
1985 Uğurtay
1986 Hafız
1988 Top Image
1991 Abbas

In 2012, Halis Karataş won the Gazi Race for the 5th time with the thoroughbred horse "Matador Yaşar" owned by Ahmet Göçmen. His former victories were in 1996, 2005, 2006 and 2011.[7]

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References
  1. "Gazi Koşusu'nu Anatoly kazandı..." Gazeteport (in Turkish). 2011-06-21. Archived from the original on 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  2. "Central Asian pari-mutuel and horse racing scene". World Casino Directory. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  3. "Gazi Koşusu'nun Tarihçesi..." (in Turkish). Altılı. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  4. "85. Gazi Koşusu, yarın İstanbul'da yapılacak". Milliyet Spor (in Turkish). 2011-06-25. Archived from the original on 2011-06-28. Retrieved 2011-11-15.
  5. "Gazi Koşusu" (in Turkish). Nalkapon. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  6. "Rekor Mümin Çılgın`da Mümin Çılgın toplam 9 kezle Gazi Koşusu`nu en fa..." Tüm Gazeteler (in Turkish). 2007-06-24. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
  7. "İşte Gazi Koşusu'nun kazananı". Sabah (in Turkish). Retrieved 2012-07-14.
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