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, Samsun, Urfa and Bursa. First foreigners, then private individuals, and later still the Horse Owners' Association were responsible for the administration of the races, whose contributions to horce-racing and horse-breeding in Turkey we must duly acknowledge. Still, a relative chaos reigned in the organization of the races during the first years of the republic.
People who generated ideas about the development of horse races - Sait Akson and Özdemir 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 founded in November 1950 by Mr. Fevzi Lütfi Karaosmanoglu of Izmir, a minister whose family had been riding horses for generations, representative and retired general Mr. Saim Önhon, former horseman Mr. Halim Sait Gürkan, Mr. Nijat Evliyazade of Izmir and Mr. Sait Akson . The first Board of Directors was comprised of the founding members. On April 14, 1951, the first locale was opened on Ziya Gökalp street in Ankara in a ceremony honored by the presence of president Celal Bayar. New members were signed on the same year and the number of members in the Board of Directors was increased from 5 to 7.
Since its inception, members of the board have strengthened the Club and played the most important role in making horse racing a profitable industry and an income redistribution tool for the country. To sum up the most important accomplishments of the Club: The second contract for another 20 years was signed on 19.th November 2000. Today races are being organised in 8 race courses countrywide; these are Istanbul "Veliefendi", Izmir "Sirinyer", Bursa "Osmangazi", Ankara "75.yyl", Adana "Yesiloba",Sanliurfa,Elazig and Diyarbakir racecourses. The Jockey Club of Turkiye is also making contributions to Turkish thoroughbred breeding with is "Jockey Club Stud" in Izmit. Today club owns 20 well-known stallions among which are Doyoun (IRE), Mountain Cat (USA), Common Grounds (GB), Distant Relative (IRE), Manila (USA), Eagle EYED, Always A classic (CAN), strike The Gold (USA) etc...
On October 12, 1986, a decision mandated that the headquarters of the Club be moved to Istanbul. The number of permanent members, which was 24 in 1950, has today reached 114.