When we look at the history of Turkish equestrianism, although we come across many names, only the name Bold Pilot has managed to write his name in history as a true legend. Let’s take a closer look at the story of Bold Pilot, who is also the record holder of the Gazi Race, as if it were not enough that he broke the championship rope in almost every race he entered with his jockey Halis Karataş.
Do you like horse racing? We are sure that even if you do not follow it regularly, when you come across a horse race somewhere, you will not change the channel without watching it until the end. Bold Pilot is a name that even those who are not very interested in this world know. Bold Pilot, who took the championship rope in almost every race he participated with his jockey Halis Karataş, It is a true legend that has written its name in the history of Turkish horsemanship with golden letters.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons why he went down in history as a legend is that he holds the Gazi Race record. In addition to the Gazi Race record, which has not been broken even today, after many years, it gives hope to people due to the numerous races it has played for the leaderboard. To the story of Bold Pilot and his jockey and friend Halis Karataş let’s take a closer look.
For those who have never heard of it, what is the Veteran Run?
Horse races that started to be held in Ankara during the War of Independence, It was taken under the auspices of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1927. and started to be made under the name of Gazi Run. Ali Muhiddin Hacıbekir’s horse Neriman won the first Gazi Race in 1927, which Atatürk and İsmet İnönü watched together.
3-year-old British Thoroughbreds can only participate in the Gazi Race, which has been held every year since 1927. Gazi Race which has been held in Veliefendi Hippodrome since 1980. Just participating is considered an honor in the equestrian world.
By winning the Eligreen Eküri Gazi Race 13 times, jockey Mümin Çılgın won 9 times, jockey Ahmet Çelik Renk broke the record by winning 7 years in a row. The 2400-meter Gazi Run distance record holder was Bold Pilot under the jockey of Halis Karataş.
Bold Pilot, the record holder of the Unbreakable Veteran Run:
Bold Pilot, a purebred English horse whose father is Persian Bold and mother Rosa Palumbo, was born on April 21, 1993. Ozdemir Atman is the breeder of Bold Pilot, which belongs to Atman Team. Bold Pilot, who made his first race at the Veliefendi Racecourse on 28 May 1995, has been racing under the control of jockey Halis Karataş since the first day.
Bold Pilot had raced 30 times when he died on April 30, 2015. In these races, there are many important races such as Gazi, Prime Ministry, İsmet İnönü, Presidency, 19 May, Ankara, Boğaziçi, Celal Bayar, Fevzi Çakmak. 21 times first, 4 times second, 2 times third, 2 times fourth and was once off the sign.
The run that showed people that there is always hope:
Ozdemir Atman’s purebred race participated in the 70th Gazi Race held at Istanbul Veliefendi Hippodrome on 23 June 1996. The British horse Bold Pilot joined as Halis Karataş jockey. When the 2400-meter race started, it was noted that Bold Pilot did not start with such a fast attack.
Then, in the final 600, the #1 Bold Pilot made a quick attack. Immediately after, announcer Ali Kayakit made that unforgettable announcement, ‘The Bold Pilot is coming from the outermost lane!’. Bold Pilot, who took the lead in the last 200, first went three lengths and five lengths when entering the last 100, and Bold Pilot won the 70th Gazi Run, by signing an unbreakable record of 2.26.22 seconds even today.
And finally the Bold Pilot retired:
On August 16, 1998, Bold Pilot participated in the Prime Minister’s Race held at Istanbul Veliefendi Racecourse under the jockey of Halis Karataş. This race, which he finished first, was his last. and Bold Pilot retired.
He retired to stud after his last race. Bold Pilot had 45 puppies. Even though each of them had this powerful gene, none of them were as successful racers as their fathers.
Jokey Halis Karataş’s story is a bit sad:
Halis Karataş, who was born in Sivas on October 2, 1972, stepped into the equestrian industry in 1980. After winning his first race in 1987 achieved many successes in a row. After meeting Bold Pilot in 1995, he achieved a rapid climb in his career and saw the summit.
The daughter of Özdemir Atman, owner of Bold Pilot He got married in 2003 after meeting Begüm Atman. They had two children named Azra and Özdemir. Unfortunately, the death of Begüm Atman due to breast cancer in 2014 left Halis Karataş in deep sadness.
Halis Karataş, known as the Magician among racing fans, has been a jockey throughout his life. He won 6637 titles with 24289 horses and won 6 Gazi Race championships. ‘Keystone in okey, Karataş in jockey’ the phrase tells about his importance in the world of horse racing.
Why is Bold Pilot so popular?
Now there is something we all agree on; Sport is much more than sport. Although it is criticized from time to time for betting on Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world and in our country. As in any sport, horse racing requires a hero and he is the Bold Pilot.
Bold Pilot has achieved countless successes, but what makes him a legend is that he started many races behind. Bold Pilot, who is often seen as impossible to win in the first minute of the races he participated in What would he do, he would be the leader first and then the champion. That’s why it has become a true legend.
Of course, jockey Halis Karataş made the name Bold Pilot legendary. In the world of horse racing, many horses can compete with many different jockeys. But Bold Pilot has raced with Halis Karataş since day one and they have been a great team. The answer given by the owner of the horse, Özdemir Atman, to the question of whether you would sell the Bold Pilot, went down in history, ‘If you give me the Central Bank, I will not sell it!’ Because some things are more valuable than money.
The movie Champion For Us, which tells the story of Bold Pilot:
- Year: 2018
- Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
- Director: Ahmet Katiksiz
- Cast: Ekin Koç, Farah Zeynep Abdullah, Fikret Kuskan
- IMDb: 8.2
In the movie Champion For Us, we follow the story of Bold Pilot, his jockey Halis Karataş and his wife Begüm Atman, who have written their names in Turkish equestrian history with golden letters. The passion, love and affection behind this story we only see on the news or on the track have a deeper story It keeps the audience from holding back their tears.
The one who holds the record for the Gazi Run, which cannot be broken even today. We told the story of Bold Pilot and his jockey Halis Karataş. Life is hard, even in your most troubled moments, let this announcement ring in the back of your mind and hope will rise again ‘Bold Pilot is coming from the outermost lane!’