The good news came from Pyatigorsk (Stavropol Krai, the Russian Federation) where the large international horserace had been held. Gokkhan (jockey Baynazar Begliev), one of the best horses of the Ahalteke Horse Breeding Complex, gained a bright decisive victory and won the prestige Russian Argamak Prize. A bay beauty Maya (jockey Begenchmyrat Agamyradov) ranked the third. Dark-grey Merdem (Ahalteke Horse Breeding Complex of the Turkmen Atlary State Association) ranked among five best Ahalteke horses who had taken part in the competition.

The Ahalteke horses of the age of three and elder competed in the 1,800-meter races included into the programme of the RF Presiden’s Cup International Horse Race. The prize money was one million roubles. Five winners, three of them were from Turkmenistan, shared the prize money.

Each year the prestige tournament brings together the best jockeys and trainers - the pick of equestrian sport from the CIS countries. The Turkmen horsemen’s debut in the tournament last year was a success. Master-jockey Enverguly Babalyev jockeyed beautiful Shahymerdan (trained by Hounored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan Ilmurad Agamuradov) achieved the high results in the 1,800-m race and ranked the third. This spring the Turkmen team won the victory in the international tournament in Tashkent. Two-year-old sorrel Polotly won the highest title of the Star of Turkestan.

This year the combined group of six jockeys and the chief coach – Hounored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan Ilmurad Agamuradov represented Turkmenistan at the RF President’s Cup Tournament.

That the Turkmen sportsmen participated in the prestige competitions vividly testifies to paramount importance attached in Turkmenistan to revival and maintenance of the national traditions glorified in centuries. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov set developing horse breeding as well as preserving and replenishing the cultural heritage handed down by the great ancestors to the Turkmen people as a priority task. Nowadays, Ahalteke horses are the participants of the nationwide celebrations and the majestic silhouette of a horse adorns the national emblem of Turkmenistan symbolizing the spiritual traditions of the Turkmen nation.