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GODOLPHIN’S FIRST WIN IN ISTANBUL
The
International Racing Festival kicked off Thursday night at Ýstanbul
Veliefendi Racecourse with International Anatolia Trophy, IFAHR Trophy
and France Galop FRBC Ýstanbul Trophy. Horses from overseas marked their
names for victory in all 3 of the races.
Sheikh
Mohammed Al Maktoum's BALIUS won The International Anatolia Trophy with
Frankie Dettori. 12 Thoroughbreds ran on 2000m synthetic track and
BALIUS added €175.000 to his owners total winnings. Dettori stayed in
3rd before the last bend, and geared up the pace on the last straight,
making BALIUS win with 4,5 lengths. Michael Jarvis’s Philatelist
couldn’t manage a placing and ended up 8th after a poor run.
The race also marked first wins in Turkey both for Godolphin and Frankie
Dettori.
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In the cup ceromony at the Winners
Circle Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said;
“ We are so happy to be here and
it feels wonderful to win our first race in Turkey, thanks to
BALIUS”.
Frankie Dettori; “ I love
Ýstanbul and raced here many times, so glad that i won this
important race and make the crowd cheer.” |
The
France Galop FRBC Ýstanbul Trophy with € 300,000 total prize for fillies&mares
was ran on 1600 Turf. Mick Channon’s Eva’s Request won by one length
with its jockey Alan Munro ahead of Damaniyat Girl and Wilside who were
ridden by Frankie Dettori and Olivier Peslier respectively.
Mick
Channon Junior received the cup from the hands of IFHA President Louis
Romanet. After the cup ceromony Louis Romanet said;
“ I am
really happy with the growth of Turkish Racing, France Galop and Jockey
Club of Turkey has a strong relationship which is constructed over years.
Last year Turkey became a member of The European Pattern Committee,
which makes you an important part of Europe in terms of racing. Today
the International Races was won by horses from overseas, i believe that
strong competition is always the key for the growth of quality horses
and races. Turkey has many quality horses and breeders and they should
always aim high for international successes. ”
Another International Race of the day,
IFAHR Trophy for Purebred Arabians, was won by Sheikh Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan’s BADAD with its jockey Charles Nora. The race was on 2100 m
synthetic track with a winning prize of €70.000.
Catherine Burri from Switzerland won the
the 17th leg of Fegentri Lady Riders World Championship, and came up
third in the current standings before the remained 5 legs .
In
the second day of the races 3 more International races will be held
under lights at Ýstanbul Veliefendi Racecourse, 2 of them being for
Thoroughbreds and 1 for Purebred Arabians. The highlight race will be
Topkapý Trophy which is the most expensive mile race in Europe with its
€715.000 total purse. Gary Tanaka’s PRESSING who is said to be retired
at the end of the season, will eye for two wins a row. In 2008 PRESSING
managed to win ahead of LINNGARI and travelled once again top repeat
last years success. Halicarnassus and Illustrious Blue will run for
victory in the 20th Bosphorus Cup for the €280.000 winning
prize. Malazgirt Trophy will host some of the best Purebred Arabians
Shiekh bin Zayed’s Dariya will face Hamdan Al Maktoum’s No Risk Al Maury,
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Khalifa’s General and Turkish Champion Turbo which
won 21 of his 22 starts. |