Victory Goes to PRIOR at the 65^th Turkish Oaks

65^th of the Turkish Oaks was held on Sunday, 02 August 2020, at the Veliefendi Racecourse. 16 fillies of 3-year-old with proven strength and abilities showed a breathtaking performance against each other, at the third classic race of the year. The race has been organized uninterruptedly since 1956.

Prior (Victory Gallop - Loves Time / Mountain Cat) owned by Ahmet Bakır and trained by Muhittin Korkmaz, became the winner of the race after a challenging performance with her jockey Ahmet Çelik. The jockey Ahmet Çelik, riding Prior for the very first time, obtained the first Oaks victory in his career.

The race was held on turf on 2100 meters. Moorland (Luxor - Match Point / Toccet) finished the race second with Selim Kaya and followed by Florida Coast (Lemon Drop Kid - Florida Wildcat / Forest Wildcat) with Akın Sözen, the second placed filly of 2020’s 1000 Guineas. Marakay (Luxor - Marlins Image / Marlin) reached the finish line in 4^th place and After Tulip (After Market - Hayatım / Indigo Red) became the 5^th placed filly of the race.

Finish time for the winner was 2.10.58 and the margins were 1,5 Length - 1 Length - 1/2 Length - 1 Length.

Following his victory with Prior, the winning jockey Ahmet Çelik told in the post-race interview: “I won the Oaks with a filly that I rode for the first time. Prior is a filly with a very good character. She sets her heart on winning, regardless of all difficulties during the race.”

Please click here to watch the 65^th Turkish Oaks.