“We were bewitched by the beauties of Istanbul”

Bruno Quintana, the President of the Jockey Club of Argentina, and his wife Mariel Llorens visiting Istanbul for the 81^st Gazi Derby ran on Sunday, June 24^th 2007 in Istanbul Velifendi Racecourse, talked very highly of Istanbul and the Gazi Derby in their interview at CARAS Magazine.

The translation of the interview that the Quintana couple gave to the magazine is as below:

MARIEL VE BRUNO QUINTANA
“WE WERE BEWITCHED BY THE BEAUTIES OF ISTANBUL”

Walking in the streets that seemed to have sprung out of “One Thousand and One Nights”, surrounded by the magnificent architecture, which blended the memoirs of Rome and the Byzantine and the glamour of the East was a unique experience. Bruno Quintana, the President of the Jockey Club of Argentina, and his wife Mariel Llorens took a break in the vacation in Europe and arrived in Istanbul to experience this tale. The couple was invited as special guests to attend the Gazi Derby, organized by the Jockey Club of Turkey and they stayed at Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul. They had the chance to get to know the land with the generosity of the past and the luxury of today.  

“We are experiencing incomparable feelings. We are living through something that is magnificent. We have been invited to a unique horseracing activity.  Mariel and I are going through feelings that we cannot describe. We stayed at an elaborate palace, called Çırağan, which was built by the order of Sultan Abdülaziz. At sundown, we gathered, with 150 guests, consisting of distinguished guests and diplomats, at the balconies of the hotel located on the Bosphorus (dividing Europe and Asia) and tasted exclusive flavors like lobster and Dom Perignon.”  quoted Quintana about his visit.  

In addition to the classical horserace in Istanbul Racecourse, the couple made a very exclusive sightseeing tour. The couple visited the palaces, churches and various works of art belonging to three different cultures within one week in the grandest city of Turkey.

The couple was also invited to the Gazi Derby, organized by the Jockey Club of Turkey at Istanbul Racecourse. There were also people from the diplomatic community and high society attending this traditional activity.

“It was a unique experience. In addition to the architecture and natural beauty, what really struck me was the contrast of different racial groups. Women were westernized, developed and dress really well. It was enchanting to visit the Basilica of St. Sophia, palace, buildings that had karmas from Rome, Byzantine and Christian cultures and, of course, the Grand Bazaar that accommodated seven thousand shops. That place is full of merchants trying to sell their goods by yelling at the top of their lungs. Istanbul is a very expensive city and the best brands could be found at the shopping malls. I was very much impressed by the fabrics, carpets and the gold.” were Mariel’s words of a woman’s approach.    

“Thanks to the people and the places, we had a very unique experience. Everything was magical and magnificent.”

Of course, Mariel Llorens and Bruno Quintana had the chance to live the nights of Istanbul.  The businessman finished his words about his visit to the faraway lands by stating: “We visited a private club named Reina on the Bosphorus. The place is incredible; champagne and caviar were served and we went back to the hotel by boat, instead of driving. It was an unparalleled experience; we were enchanted by the beauties of Istanbul.”