Veliefendi Hippodrome

Located at the boundary between Zeytinburnu and Bakırköy in Istanbul, the Veliefendi Hipodromu has been used since the Ottoman period as a vast grassland and became the primary venue for modern horse racing in the early 20th century. Today it functions as Türkiye’s oldest and largest hippodrome, having served as a significant focal point throughout its long history for both leisure culture and racing tradition.

^{Veliefendi Hipodromu (}Flickr⁾

The name Veliefendi derives from Şeyhülislam Veliyüddin Efendi. The site included the coastal portion of Çırpıcı Çayırı, a meadow granted by Sultan III. Mustafa to Veliyüddin Efendi as an apology after unsubstantiated accusations were made against him. Veliyüddin Efendi endowed this land as a public leisure area, assumed responsibility for its maintenance, and commissioned the construction of fountains and small structures.

In Ottoman Istanbul, leisure areas were characterized by meadows, streams, and open expanses where strolling, picnicking, carriage rides, games, and sporting activities took place. Veliefendi Çayırı served as an important leisure site with these characteristics. It is recorded that the mosque, farm, and fountains built by the Şeyhülislam contributed to the area’s established identity as a structured leisure destination.

The transformation of Veliefendi Çayırı into a racing venue dates to 1911. Under the leadership of Mahmud Şevket Paşa, the Islah-ı Nesl-i Feres (Improvement of the Horse Breed) Cemiyeti selected Veliefendi Çayırı as the site for modern-style horse racing in Istanbul. Wooden grandstands were constructed on the meadow, and the first regular races were held in August 1911.

Another source indicates that Enver Paşa requested the German delegation to identify a suitable area in Istanbul for hosting races. After evaluation, Veliefendi Çayırı was deemed appropriate, and two tracks with wooden grandstands were rapidly constructed.

The first modern structures of the hippodrome were built between 1912 and 1913 by German experts. This period marked the beginning of Veliefendi’s identity as a dedicated racing facility.

Following the Second Constitutional Era, racing activities revived, and Veliefendi Çayırı became a major racing venue. Despite the Balkan Wars, a six-race program was organized in 1913, attended by prominent figures of the time. It is recorded that Prince Yusuf İzzeddin Efendi and state officials participated in the races.

^{Servet-i Fünûn Dergisi: Spectators flocking to horse races (}National Library⁾

Racing activities continued into the early years of the Republic and were formally institutionalized in 1924 with the reactivation of equestrian organizations, leading to a regular racing program at Veliefendi.

^{Servet-i Fünûn Dergisi: Enthusiastic spectators at Veliefendi horse races (}National Library⁾

In 1950, the land was leased by the Ministry of Agriculture to the Turkish Jockey Club, thereby establishing a regular institutional framework for the operation of the hippodrome.

^{Servet-i Fünûn Dergisi: Horses and jockeys participating in the fourth race at the start of the race (}National Library⁾

From the 1950s onward, the hippodrome expanded rapidly: first a sand track, then a turf track were constructed; a 500-seat grandstand was added in 1968 and another new grandstand in 1987. Additionally, paddock areas, jockey rooms, stables, parking lots, restaurants, and other service facilities were built.

In 2008, with the completion of the lighting system, night races were introduced.

Veliefendi Hipodromu is built on a total area of 596 dunams. The current track configurations are as follows:

• Turf Track: An oval track 2020 meters long and 27 to 36 meters wide
• Synthetic (Sand) Track: A racing track 1870 meters long and 17.5 to 19 meters wide
• Sand Training Track: A training track 1720 meters long and 14 to 16 meters wide

These figures are also recorded in the official records of the TJK.

The structures and service units at the hippodrome include:

• Administrative buildings
• Racehorse Hospital
• Apranti Training Center
• Sales shop
• Museum and exhibition hall
• Two grandstand buildings (with capacities of 987 and 3017 seats respectively)
• A 207 m² LED screen and a 168 m² scoreboard
• A picnic area with 110 tables
• Children’s playground, cafeterias, and a large parking area

^{Veliefendi Hipodromu (}AA⁾

Veliefendi Hipodromu hosts numerous important races, including Turkey’s most prestigious race, the Gazi Koşusu. As the longest continuously operating venue for horse racing in Turkey, it has become one of the foundational elements of the nation’s racing culture.

Veliefendi stands out among Turkish hippodromes in terms of location, capacity, and historical continuity. With its turf and synthetic tracks, training facilities, stable capacity, and social areas, it ranks among the most advanced racing facilities in the country.

^{99th Gazi Koşusu (}AA⁾

Veliefendi Hipodromu has served as the physical space for a long transformation process from Ottoman leisure culture to modern Turkish racing. Evolving from a meadow endowed in the 18th century into a modern hippodrome in the 20th century, it today stands as Türkiye’s most comprehensive facility in terms of historical continuity and racing practice. Its structural developments, track features, race programs, and urban location have established Veliefendi Hipodromu as one of Istanbul’s key cultural and sporting venues.