CANKO CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

The G1 Niğbolu Race, an important race for Arabian horses, has been held continuously for 42 years, despite changes in distances. The race took on its current form in 2006 and is contested on a 2400m turf track for 4-year-old Arabian horses. We have previously emphasized the dominance of this generation over the older age groups. Despite entering G1 races against older competitors and being seen slightly ahead with victories in those races, Fuat Aga (Karaüzüm-Kamerbanu/Bilgin) and Derya Ateşi (Turbo-Özberfin/Demirkazık) faced each other, but the race resulted in an outcome different from what most expected.

As the race began, Derya Ateşi and Bozarslan (Özgünhan-Budin Kızı/Hisarhan) came to the front, and after a brief clash, Bozarslan took the lead. In a race where the pace became quite slowish, Canko (Yalnızefe-Sevdalımsın Can/Yalaz) running in fourth, accelerated as they entered the last 1600 meters, moving up half a length outside of Bozarslan, and this was how they entered the final stretch.

With the encouragement of its jockey, Canko took the lead in the final 400 meters, managing to resist the challenges from the other horses coming from the inside, and ultimately won the race. Accelerating into the stretch, Derya Ateşi, who couldn't quite match the pace, finished second, while Demirberke (Turbo-Badekızım/Demirkazık), who seemed traveling well until the final 200 meters, couldn't find a way through from the inside and settled for third. Bozarslan, who stayed on again by maneuvering between competitors at one point, finished 4th.

The Niğbolu Stakes marked the 19th race for Canko, who secured its 8th victory and first G1 title. This achievement also marked its third consecutive win, indicating a continuous development and an increasing performance with each passing day.