Presidency and Republic Runs (2025)

Republic’s 102nd anniversary celebrations featured two of Türkiye’s most prestigious horse races: the Presidency Race and the Republic Race, both held on 1 November 2025 at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome. Organized by the Türkiye Jockey Club, these two races were run as the season’s final Group 1 events, featuring participation from both purebred Arab and English thoroughbreds.

^{Beauty of Darkness (AA), horse number 16, participating in the Presidency Race}

Presidency Race is recognized as one of Türkiye’s most prestigious races for purebred English thoroughbreds. First held in 1939, it has since become one of the iconic events in Turkish horse racing. The 87th edition, held in 2025, took place on a 2400-meter turf track and was open to thoroughbreds aged three and older. As a Group 1 race, it holds a special place in the Türkiye Jockey Club’s annual calendar. The race commenced at 16:00 on 1 November 2025 at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome.

^{Presidency Race at the final bend (AA)}

Seventeen purebred English thoroughbreds aged three and older competed in the Presidency Race. On the 2400-meter turf track, the winner was the horse named “Grande Flusso,” ridden by jockey Ayhan Kurşun, who completed the race in 2 minutes 29.28 seconds. “Handsome King” finished second and “Etsuko” came in third. The first prize was set at 7 million Turkish liras.

^{Grande Flusso, horse number 13, winner of the Presidency Race (AA)}

Following the race, the award ceremony presented the winning trophy to Baran Büyükdere, owner of “Grande Flusso.” Hasan Yıldırım, Director General of Presidential Security Affairs, attended the ceremony. The plaques for jockey Ayhan Kurşun and trainer Osman İpek were presented by Gülnur Gülerce, General Secretary of the Türkiye Jockey Club, and Adil Mert Kaya, General Auditor. Thus, the owner, trainer, and jockey team of “Grande Flusso” were jointly honored as winners of the Presidency Race.

^{Award ceremony of the Presidency Race (AA)}

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak, in a message issued after the race, congratulated jockey Ayhan Kurşun and owner Baran Büyükdere of “Grande Flusso.” He emphasized that this meaningful event, held in the 102nd year of the Republic, helped sustain the tradition of Turkish horse racing. He also extended his thanks to all breeders and athletes who contribute to Turkish horse racing.

The Republic Race was first held in 1981 in commemoration of the founding of the Republic. This race is exclusively for purebred Arab horses and holds national significance in Turkish horse racing. The 45th edition, held in 2025, took place on a 1600-meter turf track and was open to purebred Arab horses aged three and older. As a Group 1 DHT race, it began at 16:30 at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome.

^{Republic Race at the final bend (AA)}

Fourteen purebred Arab horses aged three and older competed in the Republic Race. In a race with a first prize of 10 million Turkish liras, the horse “Gökırmak,” ridden by jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik, won first place with a time of 1 minute 46.84 seconds. “Deniz Efe” finished second and “Kahramanoğlu” came in third. The race drew attention as a significant competition showcasing the performance of Arab thoroughbreds.

^{Gökırmak, horse number 14, winner of the Republic Race (AA)}

At the ceremony following the race, the winning trophy was presented to Hakan Yücetürk, breeder of “Gökırmak” and member of the Türkiye Jockey Club Board of Directors. The plaques for jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik and trainer Olcay Özel were presented by Ziya Öztürkler, President of the Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and Korgeneral Ahmet Kurumahmut, Commander of the 4th Corps and Ankara Garrison.

^{Award ceremony of the Republic Race (AA)}

Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak congratulated jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik and owner Mehmet Akbaş of “Gökırmak” in his message following the Republic Race. He noted that these races add meaning to the 102nd anniversary of the Republic and extended his congratulations to all jockeys, breeders, and workers who contribute to Turkish horse racing.

The Republic Race and the Presidency Race hold prominent positions among the major horse racing events in Türkiye. Both races are not only sporting competitions but also cultural events that reaffirm the values of the Republic. These races have showcased the performance of both Arab and English thoroughbreds and reflect the level achieved by Turkish horse breeding. Held at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome, these events symbolize the continuity of Turkish horse racing and have become a tradition that unites sport with the anniversary of the Republic.