Owner for twenty-five years of the Bivans Stable, the most successful in the world, Antonio Somma has realised the dream that every owner would like to live: winning the Prix D’Amerique. And he has hit the target for two consecutive years, in 2020 and 2021, with Face Time Bourbon.
From Castellammare di Stabia he arrived on the roof of the equestrian world: what do you remember
of those two memorable days?
I have been following horse racing for 30 years. I won the Lotteria and for a Campania native that is the highest aspiration
aspiration, but the Prix D’Amerique is comparable to the coach of the national team winning the World Championship.
They were two days that aroused different feelings and emotions in me. In Paris I perhaps
felt something more.
Would you describe those minutes from start to finish?
In 2020, Face Time Bourbon was not the favourite. He was already five years old. In the start with the ribbons anything can happen and then the three and a half minutes afterwards you live in apnea.
He ran an amazing race, piercing his opponent from the inside. I was moved, despite having a cold nature and
I hardly show my emotions when my horses are running. I jumped with irrepressible joy, hugging my friend Alfonso, the one who introduced me to the world of horses.
There must have been sixty thousand spectators for the 100th edition. Thrilling.
Were things different in 2021?
First of all, we were the defending champions, the ones to beat, and the worries were greater.
But the most incredible thing was the setting around us, diametrically opposed to the previous year.
There were ten of us in the stands, we were in full covid. I could be there because in that edition as
owner I was fielding three horses and the French are sticklers for the rules. An eerie silence broken only by my jubilation. Once the whole event was over, as I had spent the night in Normandy, I climbed into the van together with the driver and the groom, and I was able to quietly answer the phone to the congratulations I was receiving.
And the Amerique of Vivid Wise as?
Vivid has run the Amerique 4-5 times and his best performance was when Face Time Bourbon won.
The regret was for fourth place.
Is there a horse in your stable that makes you dream big again?
Frank Giò I think will run the Amerique next year.
Your prediction for this year?
Idao de Tillard, Go on Boy, Hooker Berry. On the 2,700 metres the strongest horse usually wins. Nobody gives you an inch, you have to avoid unnecessary and wasteful partials.
Surprises are more likely on the 1,600.
How are the French with you?
They all know me, I’ve been around them for 30 years. From the owners, to the trainers, to the drivers I have relationships
with everyone. Although they are chauvinists, they respect me.
And what is your relationship with the press?
In Italy I’m available to almost everyone, but in France I no longer talk to Paris Turf because they wrote untrue news.
What are your thoughts on Italian horseracing?
It’s not an easy moment, it’s well known, but I appreciate the commitment that the General Management is putting into it.
It has clear ideas and something good can be glimpsed, but it has to contend with too much bureaucracy that slows down implementation times. But I will continue to invest in horses because passion is stronger than uncertainty.
Are you going to Paris?
Of course, like every year.
