Gazi Race
Encyclopedia
The Gazi Race 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 British
purebred
horses, it is raced clockwise at a distance of 2400 m (2,624.7 yd) on turf (grass) track at the Veliefendi Race Course
in Istanbul
.
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". He organized horse races even during the years of the War of Independence in Ankara
, in the new capital of modern Turkey.
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 2000 m (2,187.2 yd). The money award was TL 2,000. The winner was jockey İhsan Atçı with racehorse "Neriman" owned by Ali Muhiddin Hacıbekir, member of a renowned candy producing dynasty.
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.
In 1932, the race was restricted to British thoroughbred three-year-old horses born in Turkey and was run over a distance of 2400 yd (2,194.6 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
.
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.
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 a equestrian statue depicting Gazi Mustafa Kemal is bestowed by the Turkish president. It was created by sculptor Mehmet Şadi Çalık (1917-1979).
Racehorse owner and breeder Sadık Eliyeşil
(1925-2008) is the most winner of the Gazi Race with 13 titles:
Mümin Çılgın
(born 1935) is the most successful jockey of the Gazi Race with nine wins:
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
thoroughbred horse
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
flat race
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
that is established in honor of the founder of the Turkish Republic Gazi Mustafa Kemal
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was an Ottoman and Turkish army officer, revolutionary statesman, writer, and the first President of Turkey. He is credited with being the founder of the Republic of Turkey....
. It is country's most prestigious horse racing event, which is held uninterruptedly since its establishment in 1927. Restricted to 22 three-year-old British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
purebred
Purebred
Purebreds, also called purebreeds, are cultivated varieties or cultivars of an animal species, achieved through the process of selective breeding...
horses, it is raced clockwise at a distance of 2400 m (2,624.7 yd) on turf (grass) track at the Veliefendi Race Course
Veliefendi Race Course
Veliefendi Race Course is a horse racing track located at Veliefendi neighborhood in Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul, Turkey.It is country's oldest and biggest race course founded on a former grassland that was historically a farm belonging to Şeyhülislam Veliyüddin Efendi, a 18th-century...
in Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
.
History
Mustafa Kemal, founder of the Turkish Republic, was honored with the title GhaziGhazi
Ghazi is a title given to Muslim warriors or champions. It may be used out of respect or officially. Many of the Ottoman Sultans and Caliphs wore this title officially , along with Khan and Caesar...
in 1923 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly due to his successful command at the Turkish War of Independence
Turkish War of Independence
The Turkish War of Independence was a war of independence waged by Turkish nationalists against the Allies, after the country was partitioned by the Allies following the Ottoman Empire's defeat in World War I...
. He used this title until 1934, when he was given the surname "Atatürk" (literally: Father of Turks) following the adoption of the Surname Law
Surname Law (Turkey)
The Surname Law of the Republic of Turkey was adopted on June 21, 1934. The law required all citizens of Turkey to adopt the use of surnames. Turkey's Christian and Jewish citizens were already using surnames, but Muslims generally did not use Western-style surnames...
.
A fan of horse racing, Gazi Mustafa Kemal said "Horse racing is the social need for modern societies". He organized horse races even during the years of the War of Independence in Ankara
Ankara
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the country's second largest city after Istanbul. The city has a mean elevation of , and as of 2010 the metropolitan area in the entire Ankara Province had a population of 4.4 million....
, in the new capital of modern Turkey.
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 2000 m (2,187.2 yd). The money award was TL 2,000. The winner was jockey İhsan Atçı with racehorse "Neriman" owned by Ali Muhiddin Hacıbekir, member of a renowned candy producing dynasty.
In 1928, the event was run as an open race restricted to age and weight. Succeeding Turkish presidents, Celal Bayar
Celal Bayar
Celâl Bayar was a Turkish politician, statesman and the third President of Turkey. At the time of his death, he was the longest lived former head of state, living over 103 years .-Early years:He was born in 1883 at Umurbey, a village of Gemlik, Bursa as the son of a religious leader and teacher...
in 1929 with "Cap Gris Nez" and İsmet İnönü
Ismet Inönü
Mustafa İsmet İnönü was a Turkish Army General, Prime Minister and the second President of Turkey. In 1938, the Republican People's Party gave him the title of "Milli Şef" .-Family and early life:...
in 1930 with "Olgo", were also among the winners of the Gazi Race.
In 1932, the race was restricted to British thoroughbred three-year-old horses born in Turkey and was run over a distance of 2400 yd (2,194.6 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
Ankara 19 Mayis Stadium
Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium is the home venue for three of Ankara's Süper Lig football clubs: Ankaragücü, Gençlerbirliği and Hacettepe. It was built in 1935 and is part of the 19 Mayıs Sports Complex, which is located in the Ulus district. The stadium has a capacity of 19,209...
.
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.
Award
The winner of the race receives a purse in amount of TLTurkish lira
The Turkish lira is the currency of Turkey and the de facto independent state of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The lira is subdivided into 100 kuruş...
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 a equestrian statue depicting Gazi Mustafa Kemal is bestowed by the Turkish president. It was created by sculptor Mehmet Şadi Çalık (1917-1979).
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.Racehorse owner and breeder Sadık Eliyeşil
Sadık Eliyeşil
Sadık Eliyeşil was a wealthy Turkish businessman, as well as a racehorse owner and breeder, best known for his thoroughbreds' record winning of 13 races at the Gazi Race, Turkey's most prestigious horse racing event...
(1925-2008) is the most winner of the Gazi Race with 13 titles:
| 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
Mümin Çılgın
Mümin Çılgın is a Turkish former racehorse jockey, best known for his record winning of nine races at the Gazi Race, Turkey's most prestigious horse racing event.He was born 1935 in Tekirdağ. In 1953, he left his hometown to go to Istanbul...
(born 1935) is the most successful jockey of the Gazi Race with nine wins:
| Year |
Racehorse |
| 1960 | Helene De Troia |
| 1965 | Apaçi |
| 1974 | Nadas |
| 1979 | Dr. Seferof |
| 1981 | Dersim |
| 1985 | Uğurtay |
| 1986 | Hafız |
| 1988 | Top Image |
| 1991 | Abbas |