The Turkish Jockey Club has invited 7 lady riders from 7 different countries to participate in the first ladies’ race ever in Istanbul Veliefendi on the occasion of the International Racing Festival on September 6th and 7th, 2008. Invited countries were France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and four lady riders from Turkey. The first race was won by Clare MacMahon from Ireland on Darsun Efendi before Mette Kjelsli from Sweden and Nadine Gratz from Germany. Fourth became Asu Böke from Turkey. The race on Sunday was won by Nadine Gratz from Germany, second Paula Flierman from Netherlands and Duygu Fatura Oluk from Turkey, Selin Dikencik from Turkey was fourth. Duygu F. Oluk was the best placed lady rider from Turkey in this international competition. Fegentri is very grateful to the President of the Turkish Jockey Club, Mr. Yasin Kadri Ekinci and to the President of the Amateur Club in Turkey, Mr. Selman Tasbek for organising international ladies’ races with Fegentri. Nathalie Bélinguier, President of Fegentri and Susanna Santesson, General Secretary, attended the “historical” ladies’ races on Istanbul Veliefendi Race Track.
Historical day at the race-course Istanbul Veliefendi: lady riders of eight different countries participated in International Amateur Races.
Clare MacMahon from Ireland wins the first International Amateur Race for lady riders in Istanbul.
Happy winner! Nadine Gratz from Germany won the second race for lady riders from left to right: Ercan Emre, Board Member of the Turkish Jockey Club, Demet Sabanci, Owner of Fashion TV, Lady Rider Nadine Gratz, Susanna Santesson, General Secretary of Fegentri, Yasin Kadri Ekinci, President of the Turkish Jockey Club, S. Selman Tasbek, President of the new founded Amateur Club of Turkey and Nathalie Bélinguier, President of Fegentri.
from right to left: Nathalie Bélinguier, President of Fegentri, German Lady Rider Nadine Gratz, Susanna Santesson, General Secretary of Fegentri
Bosphorus Tour with the guests of the Racing Festival. from left to right: Emily Jones (GB), Nadine Gratz (Germany), Paula Wolter-Flierman (Netherlands), Susanna Santesson (General Secretary Fegentri), Clare MacMahon (Ireland), Nathalie Bélinguier (President of Fegentri), Mette Kjelsli (Sweden), Anne-Sophie Pacault (France) and Sarah Leutwiler (Switzerland)