Precious horses on Istanbul course for debut race

ISTANBUL

AA photo

Some of the most precious thoroughbred horses of the world have been transferred to Istanbul for the debut “Longines International Racing Festival Istanbul,” which will be held on the course over the weekend, as famous horse owners, trainers and stablemen have already flocked to the city.

Some eight out of the total 22 horses from abroad that will run at Istanbul’s Veliefendi Horserace Course were sent on jets on Aug. 30 and 31, waiting for their rivals. 

Two of them were sent to Istanbul Atatürk Arirport as the remaining six were transported to Sabiha Gökçen Airport. 

The temperature in the cargo jets was kept between 15 and 20 degrees. The horses took the flight in 800 kilogram containers with their stablemen, to prevent horses getting up onto their hind legs. 

Some 20 horses from Turkey will race during the festival also participated in by horses from the U.K, Ireland, France, Germany, Bulgaria and Azerbaijan. 

Some six horses belonging to Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum arrived in Turkey. 

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor is bullish about the prospects of Maktoum’s Godolphin picking up a generous slice of the big prize money on offer at the annual international race meeting at Veliefendi, Turkey, at the weekend.
Saeed also send a total of six runners to the two-day fixture to contest five races - and he was confident the stable can again make its presence felt, said on the official website of Godolphin. 

“Every year, our horses seem to run well in Turkey, and the horses we are sending this time are just the right type,” Saeed said.

He has send Move Up for Sunday’s G2 International Bosphorus Cup and Silent Attack for the G2 International Topkapı Trophy, on the same card.

Both are to be ridden by Godolphin’s France-based jockey Mickael Barzalona, who combined with Saeed to take the 2013 Bosphorus Cup with Lost In The Moment.

“Move Up has been going very well at home, and Silent Attack is in good condition,” the trainer reported.

Saeed also runs both Best Solution (Barzalona) and Top Score (Sean Levey) in the Trakya (Thrace) Trophy on Sept. 4.

“Best Solution is in good form, and this is going to suit him - while I believe this is also the right race for Top Score,” the trainer pointed out.

Saeed will saddle two runners at Veliefendi on Sept. 3 - Basem in the International France Galop - FRBC Anatolia Trophy and Promising Run in the G3 International Istanbul Trophy. Barzalona will be aboard both.

All races will be broadcasted on the TJK TV and TAY TV live.