CALL TO VICTORY Becomes the Champion of 2020

Gazi Derby, having been organized uninterruptedly since 1927, on behalf of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was held on Sunday, August 30, 2020 at the Veliefendi Racecourse. 15 thoroughbreds competed against each other to become the champion of the year.

Winner of 94^th Gazi Derby Call To Victory (Victory Gallop - Serap Gelin / Mountain Cat), owned by Ayşegül Kurtel and trained by Orkun Özelcanat finished the race in 2.30.18 with his jockey Ahmet Çelik.

Successful jockey Ahmet Çelik made history by winning the Gazi Derby 6 years years in a row. The champion jockey previously won the Derby with Renk in 2015, Graystorm in 2016, Piano Sonata in 2017, Hep Beraber in 2018 and The Last Romance in 2019.

Call to Victory’s unbeatable victory series of 11 races was crowned with Gazi Derby, which is also his 8^th Group win.

Please click here to watch the 94^th Gazi Derby.

Lord Of Game (Invincible Son - Mystical Falls / Sri Pekan) finished the race in second place and was followed by Kingsman (Popular Demand - Fluent / Ultramar) with Hışman Çizik. While Coach (Smart Robin - Born Shining / Sri Pekan) arrived the finish line in fourth place, Vernazza (Authorized - Dentelle / Mr Sidney) became the 5^th placed thoroughbred of the Derby with Halis Karataş. The race was held on turf track on 2400 meters and the margins were 2,5 Length - 4,5 Length - 2 Length – Nose.

The winning owner received 2.958.375 TL, including the first prize, entry fees, owner and breeder’s premium. 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th placed thoroughbreds respectively earned 700.000 TL, 350.000 TL, 175.000 TL and 87.500 TL. Following his Gazi Derby victory, Call to Victory’s earnings reached over 6 million TL.

Ayşegül Kurtel, the winning owner, received her trophy from Deputy Minister Halil Yunus Ersöz, representing Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoğlu.

Onur Özelcanat received a plate on behalf of the winning trainer Orkun Özelcanat from Yaşar Aksanyar, Deputy Governor of Istanbul, representing Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya.

Ahmet Çelik, the winning jockey, received his plate from Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul.

Ayşe Akşin Işıkgece, General Manager of General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) and Board of High Stewards Member; Çağatay Abraş, Managing Director of Turkey Wealth Fund; Bülent Kerimoğlu, Mayor of Bakırköy Municipality; Kemal Çebi, Mayor of Küçükçekmece Municipality; İbrahim Hayati Selvi, Gendarmerie Colonel representing Provincial Gendarmerie Commander; Serdal Adali, President of the Jockey Club of Turkey and Nimet Arif Kurtel, winning owner Ayşegül Kurtel’s spouse, attended to the prize ceremony at Winner’s Circle.

Gazi Derby was held without spectators for the first time in its history, due to Covid – 19 pandemic.

The traditional parade of Ekrem Kurt Apprentice Training Center Students was held before the Derby.

Gazi Derby, being the 4^th classical race of the year, is the second leg of Triple Crown. Already winning the 2000 Guineas and Gazi Derby, if Call to Victory also achieves to win Ankara Stakes on 24 October, he will make Triple Crown and earn 1.750.000 TL.