27.10.2025 19:33
The world-famous English stallion named Belardo, which has earned 25 million dollars on racetracks, has been brought to Turkey. Belardo made an appearance at the promotional event held in the Kartepe district of Kocaeli.
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Businessmen Refik Yiğit and Adem Yıldız purchased the world-famous English thoroughbred horse Belardo from Godolphin Farm, owned by Dubai Prince Sheikh Al Maktoum.
BELARDO HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO TURKEY
Belardo, brought to Turkey, made an appearance at the stallion introduction event held at Yiğit Farm located in Uzuntarla Neighborhood of Kartepe district. In addition to Belardo, stallions named Cooger and Arizona were also introduced at the event. Guests from the business, sports, and art worlds had the opportunity to closely examine the horses and take souvenir photos.
ITS FOALS HAVE EARNED 25 MILLION DOLLARS
Belardo was selected as the 'Best Two-Year-Old Colt in Europe' that year in the 'Dewhurst Stakes Group 1' thoroughbred race held in England in 2014. After completing its racing career, Belardo began its duties as a breeding stallion, and its first foals hit the racetracks in 2019. Belardo's foals have earned a total of 25 million dollars in races to date. It is aimed that Belardo, which will be used in breeding activities at Yiğit Farm, will make significant contributions to Turkish horse racing.
REFİK YİĞİT: WE ARE STRIVING TO ESTABLISH TURKISH HORSE RACING COMPETING WITH THE WORLD
Refik Yiğit, noting that there are new investors in the sector, stated, "As individual horse owners under the umbrella of the Turkish Jockey Club, we are striving to establish Turkish horse racing that competes with the world. Last year, we brought our stallion Arizona from the world's largest organization, Coolmore. Its father, 'No Nay Never,' is currently in demand in Europe for nearly 200 thousand euros. Arizona received requests from 80 mares in our country last year. We expect a similar demand this year. This year, we brought Belardo from Godolphin, owned by Dubai Prince Sheikh Al Maktoum, together with Yıldız Ekürisi. We are doing our utmost to elevate our country's horse racing and raise the quality of racing. Belardo's offspring have collectively earned over 25 million dollars worldwide. It is a great honor for us to bring Belardo to our country," he expressed.
NUR ÜNLÜ YİĞİT: IT IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR US
Nur Ünlü Yiğit, the wife of Refik Yiğit, who stated that horse racing is a passion, said, "First Arizona, then Belardo being brought to our country is a source of pride for us. It was a beautiful memory for us to introduce our stallions to racing enthusiasts, breeders, and horse owners with such an organization at our farm," she said.
TİMUR ACAR: MAY IT BE BENEFICIAL FOR TURKEY
Famous actor Timur Acar emphasized the stallions' endurance and proper physique, stating, "We came here to watch the stallions. We are new to the horse world. New stallions have arrived in Turkey. Cooger and Arizona were here, and Belardo has just arrived. He is a stallion that has won races in the past. Yiğit Stud organized such an event for the first time in Kartepe, Turkey. We enjoyed it very much; it is a new world for me. I met many horse owners. May the new stallion be beneficial for Turkey," he said.
BEDRETTİN AYDOĞDU: MAY THE HORSES LAND ON THEIR FEET PROPERLY
Famous kebab master Bedrettin Aydoğdu, known as 'Master Bedri,' said, "Mr. Refik Yiğit kindly invited us, and we came. We were with the horse owners. I’m glad I came; they will definitely sell me a horse. Horse racing is a hobby. I met many wonderful people of high quality. May the stallions and racing horses land on their feet properly," he said. (DHA)
ADEM YILDIZ: WE WILL HAVE STALLION TRANSFERS IN THE FUTURE YEARS
Horse owner Adem Yıldız stated, "We organized a stallion introduction event with Arizona, Belardo, and Cooger. About 200 breeders and horse owners did not break our invitation and attended. This year, we brought Belardo to Turkish breeding. Besides Belardo, our partnership with Yiğit Stud regarding Arizona has started. We are trying to do our best for breeding. We will have stallion transfers in the coming years," he said.
ERAY HAZAR: OUR AIM WAS TO BRING TOGETHER OUR BREEDERS WITH OUR COMMUNITY
Eray Hazar, the owner of the stallion Cooger, stated, "Our main aim was to bring our breeders together with our community. We achieved this, and everyone is very happy. We thought our country’s horse racing needed such an organization. We wanted to contribute to our breeding with our stallions Arizona, Belardo, and Cooger," he expressed.
VETERINARIAN AYŞE YETİŞ: HORSE RACING NEEDS SUCH ORGANIZATIONS
Veterinarian and trainer Ayşe Yetiş stated, "Horse racing needs such organizations. I did not expect such a beautiful and crowded organization. There are 3 stallions in the farm: Arizona, Cooger, and Belardo, who came this year. We learned that Belardo's foals have earned 25 million dollars. I wish it to be beneficial for Turkish horse racing," she said.
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