INTERNATIONAL RACES IN TURKEY - 2026
Since 2008, the Jockey Club of Türkiye has hosted seven prestigious international races at Istanbul Veliefendi Racecourse. The International Racing Festival is traditionally held over two days during the first weekend of September and brings together top horses, owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world.
Key Highlights:
The Topkapi Trophy and Bosphorus Cup attained black-type status in 2003 and were included in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards (ICS) Book in 2009.
The Istanbul Trophy, France Galop Anatolia Trophy and Queen Elizabeth II Cup are listed in Part II of the International Cataloguing Standards (ICS) Book.
INTERNATIONAL RACING FESTIVAL ENTRY FORM
2026 RACE LIST
FRANCE GALOP ANATOLIA TROPHY – G2
Date: September
5th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ Thoroughbreds only
Distance: 2000 m – Synthetic
Prize Money: ₺7,000,000 / Winner: ₺4,000,000
ISTANBUL TROPHY – G3
Date: September
5th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ Thoroughbred Fillies & Mares only
Distance: 1600 m – Turf
Prize Money: ₺8,750,000 / Winner: ₺5,000,000
TOPKAPI TROPHY – G3
Date: September
6th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ Thoroughbreds only
Distance: 1600 m – Turf
Prize Money: ₺13,125,000 / Winner: ₺7,500,000
• Restriction: Geldings are not eligible.
BOSPHORUS CUP – G3:
Date: September
6th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ Thoroughbreds only
Distance: 2400 m – Turf
Prize Money: ₺10,500,000 / Winner: ₺6,000,000
UAE PRESIDENT CUP SERIES MALAZGIRT TROPHY - G3 PA
Date: September
6th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ WAHO registered Purebred Arabians only.
Horses must have at least four generations of parentage identified as of 2011 & earlier
Distance: 1600 m – Turf
Prize Money: ₺4,375,000 / Winner: ₺2,500,000 Total Sponsorship Prize Money: $250,000
* Topkapı Trophy & Bosphorus Cup are placed in Part I of the ICS Book.
* Topkapı Trophy & Bosphorus Cup are placed in Part I of the ICS Book.
INTERNATIONAL IFAHR TROPHY – Condition 9 PA
Date: September 5th, 2026
Racetrack: Veliefendi – Istanbul
3 yo+ WAHO registered Purebred Arabians only.
Horses must have at least four generations of parentage identified as of 2011 & earlier
Distance: 2100 m – Synthetic
Prize Money: ₺2,625,000 / Winner: ₺1,500,000
INTERNATIONAL RACING FESTIVAL 2026
TRANSPORT SUBSIDY FOR INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPANTS
To support international participation in the 2026 Istanbul Racing Festival, the Jockey Club of Türkiye (TJK) offers transportation subsidies for eligible horses:
Standard Subsidy
USD 18,000 per horse (round-trip) for horses arriving from: Americas (North & South), Oceania, Africa, Far East countries.
EUR 12,000 per horse (round-trip) for horses arriving from: Europe & United Arab Emirates
Eligibility Criteria
Applicable only to Thoroughbreds from countries included in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards (ICS) Book. Progeny of TJK stallions receive an additional 50% subsidy.
* Transport subsidy applies only to horses travelling by air cargo.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible to race or be stabled at any racetrack operated by the Jockey Club of Türkiye (TJK), all participating horses must have valid and up-to-date vaccinations as required by Turkish regulations.
Mandatory Vaccinations:
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)
Equine Influenza Virus (EIV)
Failure to meet these health requirements may result in disqualification or refusal of entry. For detailed vaccination protocols and required documentation, please contact:
asvhmud@tjk.org / iad@tjk.org
ENTRY DEADLINES & REGULATIONS;
To ensure participation in the 2026 International Races in Türkiye, the following deadlines must be strictly observed:
KEY DEADLINES
| Stage | : Deadline |
|---|---|
| Closing Date for Entries | : Before Wednesday , 05 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Entry | : Before Wednesday , 05 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Confirmation of Entry | : Before Wednesday , 19 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Supplementary Entry | : Before Monday , 31 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Late Confirmation | : Before Monday , 31 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Horse Declaration | : Before Monday , 31 August 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
| Jockey Declaration | : Before Wednesday, 02 September 2026 (by 17:00, local time) |
Jockey declaration fees are included in the horse declaration fee.
IMPORTANT NOTES
Failure to complete the Confirmation of Entry or Supplementary Confirmation of Entry will render the horse ineligible to participate in the race.
Geldings are not allowed to compete in the Topkapı Trophy.
SUPPLEMENTARY STAGES
(1) Supplementary Entry Stage
If the original Entry Stage is missed:
The horse may still be entered by:
- Paying the Declaration to Run fee
- Paying an additional forfeit fee equal to 5% of the winner’s share of the relevant race
Deadline: August 31, 2026 – 17:00 (Turkish local time)
(2) Late Confirmation of Entry Stage
If a horse was entered but not confirmed during the Confirmation of Entry stage:
The horse is otherwise ineligible to run, but may regain eligibility by:
- Paying the Declaration to Run fee
- Paying a forfeit fee equal to 5× the Confirmation of Entry fee
Deadline: August 31, 2026 – 17:00 (Turkish local time)
| BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS | |
|---|---|
| BANK NAME | : Turkiye Vakiflar Bankasi |
| BRANCH NAME AND CODE | : Zeytinburnu Branch Code 168 |
| ACCOUNT HOLDER | : Turkiye Jokey Kulubu |
| ACCOUNT NUMBER (IBAN) | : TR46 0001 5001 5804 8012 4533 49 |
| SWIFT CODE | : TVBATR2A |
