Istanbul is Getting Prepared for “Longines International Racing Festival” 


 

Veliefendi Racecourse will be opening its doors to the most eligible ecuries of the world for Longines International Racing Festival on 2nd and 3rd September.

The Swiss watchmaker Longines, Official Timekeeper of many prestigious races combining elegance and quality such as Royal Ascot Races, Prix de Diane Longines and Dubai World Cup Championship, became the Title Partner, Official Timekeeper and the Official Watch of International Racing Festival in 2016.

The Festival, attracting a great interest internationally, has an important place in Turkish racing and breeding as the Turkish horses test their power against the ones coming from abroad.

Boğaziçi, Topkapı and Malazgirt Trophies, organized since the 90’s are closely followed by the racing authorities around the world not only for the quality of horses racing but also for the rich prize money distributed.



 Famous trainers, jockeys, editors and photographers of the racing media, representatives of the leading jockey clubs and racing authorities as well as reputed stables and successful thoroughbreds and purebred arabians will be in Istanbul for the Racing Festival on 2nd and 3rd September.

On 2nd September, Saturday evening, 3 International races will be staged while the most important 4 international races will be held on Sunday, 3rd September, in the afternoon. The kids will be able to enjoy the children’s theatre and Pony Club events while their parents watch the breathtaking races.



“Longines Prize For Elegance” will be held on Sunday and award the most elegant lady wearing hat with a watch from the collection "Conquest Classic" 

22nd and 23rd races of the Amateur Lady Riders Championship will be held during the festival over the weekend. Among the 7 lady riders coming to Istanbul, Sara Vemeersch keeps her leader position with her ranking of 164.

1.923.125 Euros of Prize Money in 7 International Races

29 horses from abroad has been registered for the International IFAHR, Anatolia, Istanbul, Malazgirt, Topkapı and Thrace Trophies. Total prize money to be distributed for the 7 international races is confirmed as 1.923.125 Euros.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND (First Day)

 International IFAHR Trophy
Budakhan, Firikya, Merih, Yılmabaşar from Turkey, Founoun Al Badr, Riskamiss D’or Up, Al Shaqab Racing’s G1 winner Al Mouwaffak and Handassa  of Hamdan Al Maktoum that achieved to win this race in the last two years as well as the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge this year, are declared for the International IFAHR Trophy (G2/W) to be held on 2100 meters on synthetic track for 3yo and upwards Purebred Arabians with the first prize of 45.000 Euros.


HANDASSA

International France Galop – FRBC Anatolia Trophy 

My Billionaire, Cerastes, Oğlum Beratım, Sinyor Şamil from Turkey,  Benbatl and Leshlaa of Godolphin, last year’s winner Belgian Bill, Qurbaan and Absolute Blast from abroad are listed among the declarations of International France Galop – FRBC Anatolia Trophy. The race having a first prize of 115.000 Euros will be held on synthetic track on 2000 meters with the participation of 3 yo and upwards thoroughbreds.

International Istanbul Trophy 

5 thoroughbreds of 3 yo and upwards has been declared for the International Istanbul Trophy (G3/F) to be held on 1600 meters on turf with a first prize of 115.000 Euros.

Cheri Cheri Lady, Iskra, Tatvan İncisi and Willpower are the Turkish thoroughbreds, while Arabian Hope is the only international declaration of the race.            

KRA Cup (Condition 8) and Morocco Cup by SOREC are listed among the traditional races of the festival. 7 fillies has been declared for KRA CUP.

Gülmelek, Totem, Gümüş Kafes, Kevser Hanım, Maviş and Noisy are among the declarations of Morocco Cup by SOREC which will be held on 1200 meters on turf track.

ARABIAN HOPE

Her yıl geleneksel olarak düzenlenen Morocco Sorec Koşusu'na ise (KV-6/D) 8 safkan kayıt yaptırdı. Çim pistte 1200 metre mesafede düzenlenecek koşuya kayıt yaptıran isimler; Gülmelek, Totem, Timetosaygoodbye, Dirty Woman, Gümüş Kafes, İnci Boncuk, Kevser Hanım, Maviş ve Noisy.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3RD(Second Day)

Longines International Topkapı Trophy

Longines International Topkapı Trophy’s (G2) first prize is announced as 270.000 Euros. 10 thoroughbreds  of 3 yo and upwards were declared for Longines International Topkapı Trophy which is one of the most anticipated races of the weekend. The race will be held on 1600 meters on turf track. Touch The Wolf, Yıldırımbey and Copperfield from Turkey, Dream Castle and Carry On Deryck of Godolphin, two G2 winner Kool Kompany, Mr Scaramanga  G2 winner in Qatar, Arcanada, Wonnemond and Diplomat are among declarations.


DREAM CASTLE

International Bosphorus Cup

7 thoroughbreds has been declared for International Bosphorus Cup (G2), the longest distance race of the festival. International Bosphorus Cup is open to 3 yrs old and upwards thoroughbreds and will be held on turf track on 2400 meters. The winner of the race gets 180.000 Euros as the first prize. Blaze To Win, Oğlum Berat and Victory Is Ours from Turkey, Crimean Tatar, Vefa İbrahim Araci’s Turkish bred Listed winner,  Elbereth, finishing the same race in 3rd place last year and enhancing its performance this year, Future Empire of Godolphin and Secret Number are the declared horses for the International Bosphorus Cup.


CRIMEAN TATAR

International Malazgirt Trophy

International Malazgirt Trophy (G1/Int/W), the only G1 race of the Longines International Racing Festival, will be held on 1600 meters on turf track with the participation of 3 yrs old and upwards Purebred Arabians. Gümbürgümbür, Uçarer, Mouheeb, Ameer Al Arab, Eau De Muguet, Muraaqib and Jabal Kassyoun are among the horses registered for this race.


MURAAQIB

International Trakya (Thrace) Trophy

International Thrace Trophy will be held on turf track on 1200 meters. 5 Turkish and 3 international thoroughbreds at the age of 2 has been declared for this important race with the first prize of 115.000 Euros. Armondo, Bayezid, Has, Timetosaygoodbye and Yele from Turkey, Chess Move, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson the legendary manager of Manchester United, Rufus King, trained by Mark Johnston and Another Batt from abroad are among the declared thoroughbreds.

Another important race of the second day of the Festival is Horse Racing Ireland Cup (Condition 9). Babadoğan, Churchill Fire, El Gambo, King of Rock, Ulan Bator and Yenilmez are the thoroughbreds declared for the race of 3yo’s on turf track on 1600 meters.

Macau Cup (Condition 6) is also one of the remarkable races on Sunday. The race for 3yo thoroughbreds will be held on turf on 1200 meters. Bekirim, Kris Angel, Storm Sea Swell, Tromos, Casamento and Blue Lion.

 


ALEX FERGUSON

 


ANOTHER BATT