On 28 September, a festive horse race was held at the capital’s racecourse to mark the 35th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence. The event was attended by the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, according to IIC of Turkmenistan.

The festive programme began with a concert featuring artists from five velayats, and the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag. An exhibition of decorative and applied arts was also on display.

As part of the competition, seven races were held over distances ranging from 1,400 to 2,200 metres for horses aged two years and over. The winners of the races were the racehorses Nazli, Aýýyldyz, Bendesen, Genubek, Maksatly and Gudratlydag. Their owners were presented with commemorative gifts – handmade Turkmen carpets and traditional headscarves – whilst the stage winners each received 100,000 manats from the country’s relevant government departments.

In the final race over 2,200 metres, the winner was the horse Bezirgen, owned by the Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex of the President of Turkmenistan. He was trained by the groom Maksatmyrat Agamyradov and ridden by the jockey Begenchmyrat Agamyradov.

The winner of the final race was presented with the President of Turkmenistan’s Cup and a cash prize from the Head of State amounting to 300,000 manats.