Jockey who won the Gazi Race speaks after the race: 'This is truly the pinnacle'
Jockey Akın Sözen, who won the 98th Gazi Race, spoke after the race. Stating that he is very happy, Sözen said, "I am currently living my dreams."
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The 98th Gazi Race, run in the name of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, was held at the Istanbul Veliefendi Hippodrome. The Gazi Race, run on a 2,400-meter turf track with 22 thoroughbred English horses competing, was won by the horse Dragon Flame, ridden by jockey Akın Sözen, with a time of 2.28.36. Following the race, Sözen greeted the stands with the winning thoroughbred Dragon Flame.
The trophy was presented to the champion horse's owner, Emrah Agun, by Ebubekir Gizligider, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Chairman of the High Stewards Board. The winning horse's trainer, Engin Bekiroğulları, received his plaque from Istanbul Governor Davut Gül. The award for Akın Sözen, who won the 98th Gazi Race, was presented by General Ali Sivri, Commander of the 1st Army and Istanbul Garrison, and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Sözen then lifted the championship trophy into the air, receiving intense applause from the stands. Akın Sözen later made statements to members of the press. After the race, Sözen said, "I am currently living my dreams. I am very happy. I hope all my friends who want to experience this feeling get to experience it. This is truly the pinnacle."