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The Gazi Race ((トルコ語:Gazi Koşusu)) is a Turkish thoroughbred horse flat race that is established in honor of the founder of the Turkish Republic Gazi Mustafa Kemal. It is country's most prestigious horse racing event, which is held uninterruptedly since its establishment in 1927. Restricted to 22 three-year-old thoroughbred horses, it is raced clockwise at a distance of on turf (grass) track at the Veliefendi Race Course in Istanbul. ==History== Mustafa Kemal, founder of the Turkish Republic, was honored with the title Ghazi ((トルコ語:Gazi)) in 1923 by the Turkish Grand National Assembly due to his successful command at the Turkish War of Independence. He used this title until 1934, when he was given the surname "Atatürk" (literally: ''Father of Turks'') following the adoption of the Surname Law. A fan of horse racing, Gazi Mustafa Kemal said "''Horse racing is the social need for modern societies''". He organized horse races even during the years of the War of Independence in Ankara, in the new capital of modern Turkey. The first officially organized horse racing was run on June 10, 1927 in Ankara by British bred horses without age restriction over a distance of . The money award was TL 2,000. The winner was jockey İhsan Atçı with racehorse "Neriman" owned by Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir, member of a renowned candy producing dynasty.〔 In 1928, the event was run as an open race restricted to age and weight. Succeeding Turkish presidents, Celal Bayar in 1929 with "Cap Gris Nez" and İsmet İnönü in 1930 with "Olgo", were also among the winners of the Gazi Race.〔〔 In 1932, the race was restricted to British thoroughbred three-year-old horses born in Turkey and was run over a distance of . The prize was set to TL 5,000. In 1936, Gazi Race was held in the Ankara City Race Course (Ankara Şehir Hipodromu) constructed next to the Ankara 19 Mayıs Stadium.〔 Whenever Atatürk was in Ankara, he enjoyed to observe horse racing. In 1938, the race was renamed "Atatürk Race". Since its inauguration, the event is held every year without interruption. Gazi Race was transferred in 1968 from Ankara to Istanbul's Veliefendi Race Course.〔〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Gazi Race」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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