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Call to Victory's 11th and his eighth Group win at the Veliefendi.
The Gazi Derby, having been organized uninterruptedly since 1927, on behalf of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, was held on Sunday at the Veliefendi Racecourse, Istanbul, with a field of 15 competing to become the Turkey's champion of the year.
The winner of 94th Gazi Derby was Call To Victory (Victory Gallop - Serap Gelin / Mountain Cat), owned by Ayşegül Kurtel and trained by Orkun Özelcanat who finished the race in 2.30.18 with his jockey Ahmet Çelik.
The successful jockey Ahmet Çelik made history by winning the Gazi Derby six 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.
The win was Call to Victory's 11th and his eighth Group win.
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 5th 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. 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th 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.
The Gazi Derby was held without spectators for the first time in its history, due to the Covid–19 pandemic.
The Derby, being the fourth classical race of the year, is the second leg of Turkey's Triple Crown. After winning the 2000 Guineas and the Gazi Derby, if Call to Victory wins the Ankara Stakes on October 24th, he will become the Triple Crown winner and earn 1.750.000 TL.
