Cornelio Velasquez claims victory at the International Jockey Tournament

While American Cornelio Velasquez took home the victory with 35 points in the individual category, the ‘Guest Team’ made up of Andrasch Starke, Cornelio Velasquez, Mickael Barzalona, Umberto Rispoli and Yuga Kawada from Japan came on top as a team with 94 points during the tournament, held for the fourth time this year.

As for the Turkish Team, with Ahmet Çelik, Uğur Polat, Erhan Yavuz, Halis Karataş and Nurettin Şen, they managed to collect 82 points throughout the competition during the tournament held over four runs at the Veliefendi Racetrack on Wednesday, July 11. Ahmet Çelik and Halis Karataş were the team members who collected the most individual points (24).

Ömer Faruk Girgin, president of the Jockey Club of Turkey, presented tournament winning jockey Cornelio Velasquez with a gold medal, while Jockey Club of Turkey Board Member/Treasurer Doruk Yılmaz presented Mickael Barzalona, who came in second with 27 points, with the silver medal. Finishing the tournament in third place with a total of 25 points, Umberto Rispoli received his bronze medal from Jockey Club of Turkey Board Member A. Hücum Tulgar. Jockey Club of Turkey President Ömer Faruk Girgin also presented the jockeys of the guest team with a commemorative plaque during the ceremonies held at the Winner’s Circle Paddock.

First place winner Cornelio Velasquez collected the €4,000 prize while Mickael Barzalona and Umberto Rispoli claimed €2,000 and €1,000 prizes, respectively, for second and third places at the tournament. Additionally, the Guest Team received a total of €4,000, €800 for each team member, in addition to their individual prizes. Total purse at the tournament was €11,000. 

Members of the Guest Team, world famous jockeys in their own right, signed autographs and made themselves available for photo opportunities with racing fans at the Ceremony Paddock prior to the race.

Jockey Ahmet Çelik won the first leg of the tournament with Reign of Fire, while the second race was claimed by Virtues Champ, ridden by Halis Karataş. Cornelio Velasques rode Final Road to first place in the third run of the tournament, and Mickael Barzalona crossed the finished line ahead of the rest on Step by Step during the final race of the event.