REPORT MADE AT 2009 WAHO CONFERENCE:

My name is Associate Professor Muzaffer Aydemir. Since joining membership of WAHO, Turkey has published 4 Volumes of our Arabian stud book. The fourth volume was published in 2006 and it covers the years 2002-2005. We are planning to publish the fifth volume in 2010. We have also got a website, which is www.ykk.gov.tr

The number of living registered purebred Arabian horses in Turkey is 10,200. Approximately 1,100 purebred Arabian foals are registered each year, in the last few years there has been little reported difference in the number of registrations. In recent years the number of broodmares used in breeding is 1,600 and the number of breeding stallions is 250. The numbers of exports and imports within the past 5 years has not shown any difference.

Until the year 2005, blood-typing was used for parent verification in registering horses. Since November 2005 we began to use DNA typing. Use of microchips, which have a hidden code, ISO 11784 or 11785 standard, were initiated with the foals born in 2006. Since the year 2005, UELNs have been put into use. In 2009, there will be no purebred Arabian horse in Turkey without microchip. Artificial Insemination is allowed in Turkey and the foals born are registered. In 2006 a semen freezing laboratory was established in Karacabey, Bursa. The laboratory has started activity.

There are a large number of flat races for purebred Arabian horses, organized by the Jockey Club of Turkey under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Our Ministry has also supported an Arabian horse show held in 2008 by the Turkish Association of Purebred Arabian Horse Breeders and Owners.

The racing of purebred Arabian horses is promoted in Turkey as the most important activity. There were 1,646 races with total annual prize money of US $40 million, and annual breeders’ premiums of US $5 million were allocated for purebred Arabians in 2007. The Ministry purchases horses with superior performance in races, to become stallions and broodmares in the State Studs. Stallions are offered to private owners of broodmares at special stallion stations, at low stud fees. Courses and seminars are organized by the Ministry in our country to educate people in horse care, feeding and management. Licences are given to participating riders, trainers and grooms, it is forbidden to work in racing without a licence.

A special Commission formed by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has selected the colt Ayabakan from a number of candidates as the winner of Turkey’s 2008 WAHO Trophy. Ayabakan showed very good performance on the racetrack in the years 2007 and 2008, when he took part in a total of 15 turf races. In a country in which racing is very competitive, Ayabakan achieved the excellent record of 13 wins at racetracks all over Turkey, including Istanbul, Ankara and Adana, including six Group I wins, two Group II wins, and two Group III wins.

REPORT MADE AT 2007 WAHO CONFERENCE:

Since our Membership of WAHO, Turkey has published 4 volumes of its stud book. The first volume covers 1995 and all previous years; the 2nd volume covers 1996-1999, the 3rd volume covers 2000-2001 and the 4th volume covers 2002-2005. This volume was published in 2006. We plan to publish and distribute the 5th volume in 2010.

The number of registered living purebred Arabian horses is about 8,500. In the years 2005 and 2006 combined, a total of over 2,400 purebred Arabian foals were registered with 1,340 in 2006 and 1,081 in 2005. In recent years, there have been no important changes in the number of foals registered. In 2006 the number of stallions used in breeding is about 300, and the number of broodmares is about 2,000. The number of imports and exports over the past 5 years has not shown any marked differences, remaining low in numbers. In 2001, we imported 17, in 2002 we imported 12 and in both years we exported none, in 2003 we imported none and exported 13, in 2004 we imported none and exported 1, in 2005 we imported 5 and exported none. In 2006 we imported none and exported 5. Until the end of the year 2005, blood-typing was used for parent verification in registering horses. Since November 2005, DNA-typing has been used. The use of microchips, which have a hidden code and ISO number 11784 or 11785, was initiated with the foals born in 2006. Since 2005 the Universal Equine Life Number system has been put into use. Artificial Insemination is allowed in Turkey and the foals born by this method are registered. In 2006 a semen freezing laboratory was established in Karacabey near Bursa.

Regarding activities, there are only flat races organized by the Jockey Club of Turkey under the authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Apart from flat racing, there are as yet no other organized activities for purebred Arabian horses in Turkey. The purebred Arabian horse racing is encouraged in Turkey, without doubt the most important promotion comes from the prize money. 1,515 races were held in 2006, with 35 million US dollars in prize money and 3 million US dollars on offer in Breeders’ Premiums allocated for purebred Arabians. The Ministry of Agriculture purchases horses with superior performance records in racing as stallions for the State Studs. Some of these stallions are made available to cover broodmares belonging to the private breeders at the Ministry’s Stallion Stations for a low stud fee. Courses and seminars are organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, to educate the people in horse care, feeding and training.