As in all parts of our prosperous Motherland, on the first Sunday of April, the modern equestrian sports complex of the Lebap velayat hosted the opening of the spring racing season of the year “Independent, Neutral Turkmenistan – the Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses.” On this occasion, festive performances by cultural and artistic figures of the velayat were first widely staged on the beautifully decorated area in front of the complex. These cultural performances, which became a highlight of the opening ceremony, praised our happy era and the Turkmen horses whose fame has spread throughout the world. Performances by folklore and dance groups further inspired the gathered citizens. After the musical and song performances, the horse races officially began.
In the first race, held over a distance of 1,200 meters among horses aged four years and older, a bay horse named Galmaz from the Lebap Equestrian Sports Complex crossed the finish line first, recording a time of 1 minute 25.7 seconds. It should be noted that this horse, ridden by jockey Mukhiddin Kuliyev, was trained by Murat Sheripov.
In the second race, held over a distance of 1,400 meters, five horses aged four years and older also competed. In this race, a bay horse named Parasatly from the Lebap Velayat Police Department, trained by Agamyrat Charyev and ridden by jockey Omurzak Hemrayev, claimed a confident victory with a time of 1 minute 35.9 seconds.
In the third race, held amid the enthusiastic cheers of Akhal-Teke horse lovers, a bay horse named Gojadag from the Lebap velayat khakimlik finished first, significantly increasing its lead over the others. This swift horse, trained by Honored Horse Breeder of Turkmenistan Aydogdy Rovshanov and ridden by Mukhiddin Kuliyev, covered the distance in 1 minute 37.4 seconds.
It is important to note that the fourth race, also held over 1,400 meters, featured very intense competition. The gap at the finish between the winner—a chestnut horse named Alchep, belonging to the farm of Dovran Gulbatyrov—and the second-place finisher, a chestnut horse named Garamally from the Turkmenabat city khakimlik, amounted to mere fractions of a second. The winning time recorded by Alchep was 1 minute 36 seconds. The skill of trainer Agasapar Bayramov, who prepared the winning horse, as well as jockey Dayanch Abdyrahymov, deserves special mention.
The fifth race, held to the applause of the spectators, was also impressive. In this race, conducted over a distance of 1,800 meters, a bay horse named Gadam, owned by Begench Nurmammedov, trained by Durdymyrat Pirnazarov and ridden by jockey Mekan Orazov, secured victory in the final event with a time of 2 minutes 6.6 seconds.
The winning horses were draped with ceremonial victory blankets, while the jockeys and trainers were awarded valuable prizes. The fact that the races, which turned into a true celebration, were accompanied by songs and music performed by bakhshi musicians gave the event a special flavor. The happy compatriots gathered at the velayat equestrian sports complex expressed heartfelt gratitude to Hero-Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for their high regard for Turkmen horses, which are among the finest examples of our national heritage.
