Jockeys gallop through eastern Türkiye's Kars in traditional race

Riders from different villages in Türkiye's eastern Kars province came together to compete at the “Gallop Traditional Horse Race.”

The race, organized by the Benliahmet Village Riding Center, brought together seven English horses, named Eko dayı, Kelebek, Komançero, Yoldaş, Oğlum Savaş, Asil and Esenyel and their riders to compete at the 5,800-kilometer (3603-mile) racetrack.

Kelebek from the Eski Geçit village won the race, followed by Komançero in the second and Eko Dayı scored third place.

Kayhan Avcı, the owner of Kelebek, told reporters that his horse was hesitant to get on the truck and also sustained a wound on his foot earlier in the morning, but was still ready to gallop through the tracks.

Serkan Cantepe, who rode Kelebek, said he was euphoric about winning the race.

Kars is an ancient eastern city near Türkiye's rugged border with Armenia and Georgia.

Horses are significant for Turkish people as they have been a part of the culture for over 5,000 years.

Kars is also a hot spot for "cirit," an ancient Turkish sport of mounted javelin throwing, a popular sport once played by Turks in Central Asia