Turkey
History
The Turkish equestrian world passed through many phases both before and after the foundation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. Races had been organized primarily in Izmir, then in Istanbul, Ankara, Bursa, Sanliurfa and Elazig. First individuals and later the Horse Owners' Association were responsible for the organization of races, whose contributions to horse racing and horse breeding in Turkey were of great importance. In 1929 the Great Turkish Leader Ataturk ordered the establishment of a High Council for improvements in horse racing. This body met with the Prime Minister of the day, Ismet Inonu and organized racing began in the same year.
In 1941 the Turkish Racehorse Owners and Breeders Association was formed, which organised racing under their banner in 1945. People who generated ideas about the development of horse races - Sait Akson and Ozdemir Atman among them - gained the opportunity to implement their ideas in 1950. With the approval of the President and Prime Minister, the Jockey Club was established in November 1950 by Mr Karaosmanoglu of Izmir, a minister whose family had been involved in horses for generations, representative and retired General Mr Onhun, former horseman Mr Gürkan, Mr Evliyazade of Izmir and Mr Akson. The first Board of Directors comprised the founding members. On April 14, 1951, the first Racing Clubroom was opend in Ankara with a ceremony honored by the presence of President Celal Bayar. The Club was sanctioned by the Cabinet as a non-profit organization and was given the name Turkish Jockey Club. In July 1953, ordinance number 6132 took effect, giving the club authority to organise races for 20 years, under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture. Jockey Club of Turkey organised its first race in September 1953 and rapidly launched several projects to improve breeding, training and infrastructure. Since its inception, members of the board have strengthened the Club and played the most important role in making horse racing a profitable industry for the Country. In October 1986, a decision mandated the headquarters of the Club to move to Istanbul. The number of permanent members, which was 24 in 1950, has reached today to 117.
To sum up the most important accomplishments of the Club:
Racecourses have been built in Istanbul, Adana, Izmir, Bursa, Ankara, Elazig,Sanliurfa and Diyarbakir.
Modern stabling complexes and fully equipped track veterinary hospitals have been built in every racecourse.
Modern photo-finish devices have been purchased and being used.
Closed-circuit TV broadcasts have been enabled and TJK TV was put on service.
In 2001, Karacabey Stud Farm which carries the slogan 'a window which opens to the world', has started giving service.
Two Stud Farms and Four covering stations in different regions have started giving service with lately imported world famous stallions such as, Lion Heart, Dehere, Powerscourt, Cuvee, Yonaguska, Mountain Cat, Sri Pekan, Unaccounted For, Royal Abjar, Fantastic Fellow, Bin Ajwaad, Ocean Crest, Strike The Gold, Always A Classic, River Special, Red Bishop, Eagle Eyed, Sea Hero, Marlin , Victory Gallop, Divine Light and Okawango.
All of the racecourses of TJK were equipped with latest technology computer network systems and some 200Off Track Betting Shops (OTB) started service all around Turkey with the latest technology betting systems.
Agreements with the TV channel Tay Tv Has been made where there is live broadcasting on every raceday (7 days a week), all around Turkey. The broadcasts can also be watched internationally by Turksat Satellite or W3 .
Name of Racing Authority: Jockey Club of Türkiye
Postal Address: Veliefendi Hipodromu, 34144 Bakirköy, Istanbul, Türkiye
Tel: (90) 212 444 0 855
Fax: (90) 212 414 69 33
Email: iad@tjk.org
Web Site: www.tjk.org
President: Mr. Omer Faruk Girgin
Board Members:
Mr. Ugur Alp Atan (General Secretary)
Mr. Doruk Yilmaz (Treasurer)
Mr. A. Hucum Tulgar
Mr. Necati Demirkol
Mr. Hakan Yuceturk
Mr. Nusret Balkaroglu
General Manager: Mr. Tuncel Aydin
Assistant General Manager: Mr. Murat Kuluozturk
Cooperate Relations Coordinator: Mr. Burak Konuk
Racing Department: Mr. Mustafa Ziypak
Computerized Betting Systems Manager: Mr. Ozgur Ozaslan
Contact for Overseas Liason/Information: Mr Okan Ozeren / Ms. Aylin Sevim
Principal Dependent or Associated Race Clubs or Racecourses:
Istanbul Veliefendi Racecourse , Mr S Katan, Manager, Veliefendi Hipodromu, 34144 Bakirköy-Istanbul, Türkiye, Tel: (90) 212 414 65 60, Fax: (90) 212 414 69 40;
Bursa Racecourse , Mr M. Bozkurt, Manager, TJK Bursa Hipodromu, K Sanayii Sit Karsisi, Tel: (90) 224 413 07 58, Fax: (90) 224 413 07 53;
TJK Adana Racecourse , Mr. T. Suha Mutlu, Adana Hipodromu, Mersin Yolu 8km ersin, Tel: (90) 322 428 6673, Fax: (90) 322 429 4140;
TJK Izmir Racecourse , Mr. O. Karabiyik, Manager, TJK Izmir Hipodromu, MD Aydin Hat Boyu, No. 275 Sirinyer-Izmir, Tel: (90) 232 487 29 60, Fax: (90) 242 429 90 62;
TJK Ankara Racecourse , Mr. Cemil Akpinar, Manager, TJK Ankara Hipodromu, Emniyet MH, Ciftlik cd 26/A, Tel: (90) 312 249 50 15, Fax: (90) 312 249 50 13;
TJK Sanliurfa Racecourse , Mr. M. Kazoglu, Manager, Sanliurfa Hipodromu, Viransehir yolu 15km, Sanliufa, Tel: (90) 414 344 00 26, Fax: (90) 414 251 34 00 19;
TJK Elazig Racecourse , Mr. Burhan Satir, Manager, Elazig Hipodromu, Yurtbasi-Elazig, Tel: (90) 424 251 23 01, Fax: (90) 424 251 34 05
Statistical
| Racing Season | From 1/1 To 31/12 |
|---|---|
| Number of Racecourses | 8 |
| Number of Fixtures | Flat 528 |
| Number of Races | Flat 2112/3920 |
| Number of Runners | Flat 2686/4687 |
| Number of Trainers | 517 |
| Number of Jockeys | 161 |
| Number of Apprentices | 220 |
| Number of Owners | 1536 |
| Name | Classification | Date | Prize Money(YTL) | Racecourse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Gazi Derby | G1 | 27/6/10 | 750.000TL | Istanbul Veliefendi |
| 2.Erkek Tay Deneme 2000 Guineas | G1 | 16/5/10 | 160.000TL | Istanbul Veliefendi |
| 3.Disi Tay Deneme 1000 Guineas | G1 | 16/5/10 | 160.000TL | Istanbul Veliefendi |
| 4.Cumhuriyet Kupasi Republic Stakes | G1 | 30/10/10 | 600.000TL | Ankara |
| 5.Cumhurbaskanligi Kosusu Presidency Stakes | G1 | 30/10/10 | 350.000TL | Ankara |
| 6.Kisrak Kosusu - Oaks | G1 | 6/6/10 | 230.000TL | Istanbul Veliefendi |
| 7.International Bosphorus Cup | G2 | 5/9/10 | 180.000TL €. | Istanbul Veliefendi |
| 8.International Topkapi Trophy | G2 | 5/09/10 | 270.000L €. | Istanbul Veliefendi |
Financial
Total Prizemoney 2010 (Local Currency – Turkish Lira) 169,858,520.00 - Provided by Racing Authorities X
Average Prizemoney Per Horse: 36,240TL
Exchange Rate to Euro : 1 € = 1.51 Turkish Liras
| Betting | Totalizator | Yes | Off Course | Yes |
| Bookmakers | No | Off Course | No |
Total Betting Turnover / Year 2010: 2,232,888,642 TL
On Course 1.55%
Off Course 98.45%
Principal Bet Types: Pick Six, Pick Five, Quinella, Pick Four, Double, Pick Seven Place, Quarte, Win, Exacta, Place
Betting Deductions
- Govt. Tax – 27,96 : total deductions % 50
- Retained by Authority – 22,03% - Returned to Bettors: % 50
Breeding
Total number of stud farms: 300
Total number of stallions (thoroughbred) 438
Total number of mares (thoroughbred) 4067
Total number of thoroughbred births / year (2010) 1390