For centuries, horses - a fundamental part of Turkish culture - have been used in many areas ranging from daily life and agriculture to sports activities, and this close relationship has naturally led to horse racing and equestrian sports.

The complete institutionalisation of horseracing and breeding activities in Türkiye dates back to 1950, when the Jockey Club of Türkiye (TJK) was founded.

TJK was granted authority for its activities in horse racing and breeding as a non-profit and public benefit organisation in 1953. Since then, TJK is the only organisation in Türkiye authorised to organise horse races and pari-mutuel betting.

Today, TJK conducts its activities in horseracing, breeding and pari-mutuel betting at 10 racecourses, one training center, seven stud farms and covering stations and over 2,300 off-course betting shops. These activities provide employment for 240,000 people.

Over 740 meetings and 6,400 races are held each year for Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians, and over 4 billion Turkish Lira (TL) is distributed as prize money, including the premiums for owners and breeders.

Gazi Derby, the top event of Turkish Racing, has been organised on the last Sunday of June uninterruptedly since 1927. It is considered to be the most prestigious race for Thoroughbreds and offers a total purse of TL 23.6 million.

Istanbul Racing Festival, organised during the first weekend of September at the Istanbul Veliefendi Racecourse, is another major racing event. The organisation includes seven international races; five of which are Group Races for Thoroughbreds and one Group race for Purebred Arabians.

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