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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
As part of the celebrations for the 102nd anniversary of the Republic, the Presidential Race and the Republic Race, among Türkiye’s most important horse races, were held on 1 November 2025 at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome. Organized by the Turkish Jockey Club, these two races were run as the season’s final Group 1 events, featuring participation from both purebred Arab and English thoroughbreds.
The Presidential Race is recognized as one of the most prestigious horse races in Türkiye for purebred English thoroughbreds. First held in 1939, it has since become one of the symbolic 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 Turkish Jockey Club’s annual calendar. The race commenced on 1 November 2025 at 16:00 at the Ankara 75th Year Hippodrome.
Seventeen purebred English thoroughbreds aged three and older competed in the Presidential 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 and 29.28 seconds. “Handsome King” finished second and “Etsuko” came in third. The first prize was set at 7 million Turkish liras.
Following the race, the award ceremony presented the first-place trophy to Baran Büyükdere, the owner of “Grande Flusso.” Hasan Yıldırım, General Director 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 Turkish Jockey Club, and Adil Mert Kaya, General Auditor. Thus, the owner, trainer, and jockey team of “Grande Flusso” were honored as winners of the Presidential Race.
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.” The Minister emphasized that this meaningful event, held in the 102nd year of the Republic, helped preserve 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 Republic Race, 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.
Fourteen purebred Arab horses aged three and older competed in the Republic Race. The winner, “Gökırmak,” ridden by jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik, completed the race in 1 minute and 46.84 seconds, securing the first prize of 10 million Turkish liras. “Deniz Efe” finished second and “Kahramanoğlu” came in third. The race drew attention as a significant competition showcasing the performance of Arab horses.
At the ceremony following the race, the first-place trophy was awarded to Hakan Yücetürk, the breeder of “Gökırmak” and a member of the Turkish 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 Army and Ankara Garrison.
Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak congratulated jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik and owner Mehmet Akbaş of “Gökırmak” in the Republic Race. In his message, the Minister 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 Presidential Race are among the most important events in Turkish horse racing. 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 reflected the level achieved by Turkish horse breeding. Organized 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.
The 87th Presidential Race and the 45th Republic Race, held on 1 November 2025 at Ankara 75th Anniversary Hippodrome, were organized as part of the celebrations for the 102nd year of the Republic. In these events, which marked the final Group 1 races of the season by the Turkish Jockey Club, purebred English and Arab horses competed. The Presidential Race was won by Grande Flusso, ridden by jockey Ayhan Kurşun, with a time of 2 minutes 29.28 seconds. The horse’s owner, Baran Büyükdere, received the prize from Hasan Yıldırım, General Director of Presidential Security Affairs, during the ceremony. In the Republic Race, Gökırmak, ridden by jockey Mehmet Salih Çelik, finished first with a time of 1 minute 46.84 seconds. Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Osman Aşkın Bak congratulated the winners of both races in a statement, emphasizing that these races sustain the deep-rooted tradition of Turkish horse racing. The Republic and Presidential Races are among the most prestigious equestrian events in Türkiye, both culturally and sportively.
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