Yozgat family expands horse hobby into professional breeding

In the Sorgun district of Yozgat, Turkey, Sami Taşkın has transformed a personal interest in horses into a successful Arabian racehorse breeding business. The venture began during the pandemic when Taşkın purchased a single riding horse at his son's request.

Following advice regarding the suitability of the local climate, Taşkın purchased three purebred Arabian broodmares. By breeding these mares with champion stallions, the family has grown their herd to 16 horses. The horses are raised on the family farm until they are 2.5 years old, after which they undergo six months of training at hippodromes.

The operation functions as a family enterprise: Taşkın's son, Mehmet Emin Taşkın, a graduate of Selçuk University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, manages the health and medical care of the animals, while his other son, Yasin Taşkın, serves as a horse trainer preparing them for races in Bursa. The horses bred by the family currently compete in hippodromes in Istanbul, Bursa, and Izmir.