Ilkay Kantarmaci Continues Ascent in Novel York Racing

Ilkay Kantarmaci is making a name for himself as a successful trainer in New York, stepping into the leading role after his brother, Mertkan Kantarmaci, took a hiatus from training in 2024. Building on a foundation laid with a 27-horse stable at Belmont Park, Kantarmaci is quickly establishing himself as a force in the competitive New York racing circuit.

A Family Legacy

The Kantarmaci brothers’ journey in horse racing began in Turkey, where their father, Tuncay Kantarmaci, was a celebrated trainer, achieving success in both thoroughbred and Arabian racing, including a victory in the Turkish Derby. The family immigrated to America in 2016, initially working together in Pennsylvania before expanding to New York in 2018 and establishing a firm foothold by 2019. Ilkay initially served as an assistant to Mertkan at Parx Racing and Penn National Race Course, gaining valuable experience before conditioning horses under his own name in 2022.

Taking the Reins

When Mertkan Kantarmaci decided to grab a year away from training, Ilkay seamlessly took over the reins of the family’s stable. “Everything is going fine,” Kantarmaci said. “I have more horses and better horses right now, and besides that, not much has changed. Mertkan wanted to take off a year, and someone has to keep it going, so it’s not too different. We still work together, we are just working in different places.”

Success at Aqueduct

As of March 11, 2026, Ilkay Kantarmaci is currently ranked third in the Aqueduct winter meet standings, with 10 wins and earnings of $623,209. Notably, he owns nine of the horses that secured those victories, placing him second in the meet’s owners’ standings. His success is largely attributed to a strategic focus on claiming horses, a method he learned from observing successful trainers like Linda Rice and perfected with his own astute eye for potential.

The Art of the Claim

Kantarmaci favors claiming horses over purchasing them at auction, a strategy that led to a breakthrough win with Golden Rocket in the NYSSS Staten Island in November 2024 at Aqueduct. He emphasizes the importance of personally inspecting horses before making a claim. “I never, ever drop on a horse for myself or a client without seeing the horse,” he stated. This approach has proven fruitful, with horses like Cut the Cord and New York Scrappy achieving success after being claimed.

Looking Ahead

In 2025, Kantarmaci’s horses won 46 races from 347 starts, earning over $2.6 million in purse earnings, despite the stable being smaller than its current size of around 45 horses. Kantarmaci’s ambition is to continue building on this success, driven by a lifelong passion for racing instilled by his father. “If I knew I could have another job making ten times the money I do now, I wouldn’t take it,” Kantarmaci said. “Even if I don’t build any money, I have the horses. It is in my blood.” Mertkan Kantarmaci has since returned to training in September 2025, based in Kentucky and Arkansas.