.: Horsemanship in Turkey

Turkish Horsemanship from 1860s up to Now

As the earliest findings on the subject, we know that the first horse races in Turkey were held in İzmir, and horse races were organized in Kağıthane-İstanbul on Fridays and Saturdays in 1863.

A race club in İzmir (Symyrna Racis Club) was founded by Mr. Patterson and his colleagues, a British man, who had settled in İzmir in 1885. This club has organized various horse races in İzmir.

The Governor Abdurrahman Pasha organized horse races in Manisa in 1894, and Mr. Hamdi Simavi, the Governor of Samsun Sub-province, also organized horse races in 1901.

The Ottoman Jockey Club was founded in 1909 under the name "Jockey Club of Ottoman". The purpose of the Club was defined as to organize and manage the horse races in Veliefendi Hippodrome, and to breed throughbred Ottoman (that is, British) and thoroughbred Arab horses, under the auspices of Ottoman Sultan.

In 1912, the "Islah-Feres" Association organized the Veliefendi races in Istanbul.

In 1920, a British firm started to organize horse races in Veliefendi Hippodrome. These races continued until 1922.

In the meantime, horse races were also organized in 1920 in Ankara, under the auspices of Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the President of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

In 1923, the horse races in İstanbul started to gain a new momentum. In 1924, the "Akif Akson Büyükdere Races", and in 1925 and 1926, "Sipahi Ocağı Veliefendi Races" were held.

In 1926, horse races were also organized in İzmir at a race course belonged to the Special Accounts Office (Muhasebe-i Hususiye), where Şirinyer Hippodrome is now located.

On 3 June 1927, the Supreme Committee of RAcing and Breeding (Yüksek Yarış ve Islah Encümeni) organized horse races at Tayyare Square in Ankara in Istanbul and Izmir, under the auspices of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Paşa. Furthermore, the allocations were made by said Committee to organize horse races in the provinces of Adana, Konya, Erzurum, Samsun and Sivas. On 10 June 1927, the "Gazi Race" was organized in Ankara with participation of Gazi Mustafa Kemal, where throughbred British horses and mares had an opportunity to race.

In 1931, the import of throughbred British horses became very active. In 1931, domestic British colts of 2 years of age showed up in the race course for the first time. And in 1932, the "Gazi Race" was reserved for domestic thoroughbred British horses.

Upon Atatürk's order for construction of Ankara Hippodrome in 1934, the Ankara City Hippodrome was opened in 1936.

In 1938, the British colts of 2 years of age were, for the first time, given the opportunity to race in a classical, term race, which was called the "Çaldıran Race". In 1939, the Presidential Cup Race was initiated. This was the first race with a cup reserved for the British horses of 3 years of age and over. In 1939, the Karacabey Stock Farm launched a big step toward the breeding of British horses.

In 1943, the Association of Breeders and Owners of Race Horses was founded. Said Association continued to undertake the organization of horse races until 1953.

On 31 July 1949, the Veliefendi, Hippodrome was destroyed by fire, causing the banning of horse races until September. In 1950, the community of racing was engaged in a big search for establishment of a new organization, and initiated the steps for the founding of Jockey Club.

On 2 November 1950, the Jockey Club was founded by Fevzi Lütfü Karaosmanoğlu, General Saim Önhon, Prince Halim Sait, Nijat Evliyazade and Sait Akson. They defined the purpose of founding the Club as follows: "To organize and manage the horse races in Turkey in accordance with international regulations, rules and traditions, to take necessary measures to develop and advance our country's racing and breeding, and to carry out all efforts and activities in this regard".

In 1953, the name of Jockey Club was changed as the "Turkish Jockey Club". And upon recognizing it to be in the status of an Association, the horse races started to be organized by said Club from then on.

Since that date, the horse races have continued to be held under single management and in a systematic way, under the organization of Jockey Club. At present, an extremely systematic and successful management exists. Our horsemanship, breeding and racing have now attained such a level that sets an example in the sector.