Turkey

Gokhan Kocakaya understood that this would be a challenge. In his native Turkey, he has won 2,910 races, was the leading rider for four straight years starting in 2019. He was riding in all of the major races and making a good living. But here he was on a chilly Monday morning galloping horses at Belmont Park, some 5,000 miles from home and in a place where almost nobody knows who he is. "I am new here," the 37-year-old jockey said through an interpreter. "I am not expecting to ride...

GI Cigar Mile H. winner and former Hill 'n' Dale sire El Corredor (Mr. Greeley--Silvery Swan, by Silver Deputy) has died at the age of 26 in Turkey, according to Turkish news source Yaris Dergisi. El Corredor has stood since 2015 at the Turkey Jockey Club's Silivri Stallion Complex until reportedly passing away Tuesday, June 20. A $110,000 Keeneland September yearling from the first crop of Mr. Greeley, El Corredor was purchased by Bob Baffert and raced in the colors of Hal J. Earnhardt III. The dark bay won the...

Italy's major races will see the most significant downgrades among European countries after the European Pattern Committee announced alterations to the 2023 Flat programme Wednesday, as a host of that country's major races are set to be demoted in status. There will be 827 black-type races run in Europe this year, compared to the 852 in 2022, while group races have been cut by 13 to 412 and listed races drop to 415 from 427. One of the most significant changes to the Irish programme comes in the case of...

Group 2 winner Battleground (War Front--Found {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Vintage S., has been purchased from Coolmore and will stand the 2022 breeding season at the Jockey Club of Turkey Stud Farms in Turkey. A fee will be announced later. Also a winner of the Listed Chesham S. at Royal Ascot, he crowned his juvenile season with a close second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Bred by Coolmore entity Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt, the son of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Found ran third...

Mer de Glace (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}-Glacier Blue {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence) will stand in Turkey, Turkish Bloodstock tweeted on Mar. 30. The 2019 G1 Caulfield Cup hero was acquired by Keles Ekurisi, Ozcolak Stud and Olguner Ekurisi. Also a winner of three Group 3 races in his native land, the dark bay was bred by Northern Farm and raced by U Carrot Farm. His record stands at 19-8-2-5 and $3,950,825 in earnings. His third dam is European champion Blue Note (Fr) (Habitat), dam of fellow European highweight Blue Duster (Danzig)...

You may not have met Ibrahim Araci. The Turkish businessman prefers to keep away from the spotlight. But when it comes to buying horses, he knows what he likes and rarely does things by halves. Flanked by his daughter Pinar and bloodstock advisor Rob Speers, Araci can often be found to the left of the rostrum in the Tattersalls sales ring, making bold plays for some of the choicest lots on offer at the yearling, breeze-up or breeding stock sales. Unafraid to see the hammer fall in his favour, Araci...