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Turkey's 'horse whisperer' races ahead at the box office

A cinematic homage about the record-breaking racehorse Bold Pilot and his jockey is filling Turkish theaters and bringing audiences to tears.
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“A horse, a gun and a woman,” a Turkish proverb proclaims, are the three things a man needs.

Horses have an exceptional place in the Turk's culture and heritage, stemming from their nomadic, Central Asian ancestors, who spent a good part of their lives on horseback, including sleeping in the saddle. The ancient sport of jereed (javelin) — throwing long poles while on horseback — remained the ultimate test for demonstrating agility, courage and sportsmanship for centuries in the Ottoman Empire.

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