Ashgabat, September 29, 2025 – The Europe Today: President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on Sunday attended festive horse races at the renovated Ashgabat Equestrian Sports Complex, held as part of celebrations marking the 34th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s independence, official media reported.
The event featured seven races over distances of 1,600 and 2,200 meters. In the final race, the head of state’s main prize was awarded to Bezirgen, a stallion from the President’s Ahal-Teke Equestrian Complex, which completed the course in 2 minutes and 34.5 seconds.
Horse breeding, regarded as an integral element of Turkmenistan’s national culture and a symbol of independence, continues to thrive under President Berdimuhamedov’s leadership. The Aba Annayev International Horse Breeding Academy in the city of Arkadag and the International Association of Ahal-Teke Horse Breeders stand as important platforms for advancing equestrian traditions and uniting experts from across the world.
At the conclusion of the celebrations, President Berdimuhamedov warmly bid farewell to attendees before departing the venue.
Independence Day is among Turkmenistan’s most significant national holidays, traditionally marked with large-scale cultural and sporting events. Special importance is attached to festive horse races, which are organized with the highest standards of professionalism and national pride.
