President of ANAC, owner of Razza del Sole, Isabella Bezzera is a thoroughbred owner and breeder since 1985, a great horse lover who lives for them and with them in her heart. The watchword of the lady of Italian horseracing is ‘passion’. Everything must revolve around the passion, the dream and the desire to create the champion horse.
Isabella, what is the most satisfying moment for a breeder?
There are two moments for me. The romantic one when the foal, once born, immediately looks for its mother with its first neigh and the other, more pragmatic, when it wins its first race. But the whole life journey of a horse for me is exciting.
You are the most respected woman in the galloping world in Italy. To what do you owe this admiration from
from the male-dominated world of horse racing?
I will tell you that it has been an advantage for me to be a woman, but not in the sense that you might think, but because from the outset I have been decisive, polite and kind. An attitude that has not created walls or misunderstandings with colleagues. Respect is essential to share the same goals.
And did you give yourself an ‘Important Air?
I know you are referring to my ‘beloved’ mare, always victorious at 2 years old, except at the Criterium, where she came second. At 3-4 years old, she won the Vittadini against Italian and foreign males. Now she is a mother. The progenitor and the strongest horse I have produced so far was Regional, winner of a Gr.1 in England, son of one of my mares, Favulusa. I am satisfied with what I have managed to create, but one can always improve. It was my dream since I was a little girl. I could never think of my life without looking at those eyes that have a magnetic soul.
How many creatures do you have?
We have 15 mares and 12 foals in our herd.
She is a strong-willed woman, an enthusiast by nature. All this makes her even more radiant and
passionate, but how does she see the future of horse racing?
In my opinion, with the members of the Ministry in office, there may be a chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The revival could come through lowering the waiting period for payments and improving the quality of mares. If the money arrived in a constant way, the horse racing economy could restart. Obviously the grand prix must be co-ordinated with foreign programmes in order to have more participants.
A lot of energy is needed for the relaunch, do you agree?
Yes. From all points of view. Engineer Chiodi is the epitome of resilience. I have faith in his work and his dogged ambition to do good for horseracing. Thanks to the great efforts of Undersecretary Patrizio La Pietra and the ANAC, we have had the long-awaited result of lowering VAT to 5 per cent for colts and the 2 per cent levy on virtual betting. In addition, they were able to recover several million euros from the forty previous debts. Senator La Pietra’s next goal is to make payments every month.
Has anything changed when you go abroad?
In fact, when I go to auctions, foreign colleagues seem more interested in our sector because they can now deal with precise reference figures, who really show up. We have more credibility internationally than in the past. All this is thanks to the Director General who is always there when Italy’s participation is needed. I don’t know how he does it. They should clone him or maybe he has the gift of ubiquity.
What is the next step to make a big voice in Europe?
You have to create the conditions for the good mares to stay in Italy. Foreign customers must return to buy from us. And then we will rely on ‘providence’. Any reference is purely intentional.
What does it take to make a good horse?
You need technique, economic possibilities and a good dose of the ‘c’ factor.
What would you like to do to fulfil your dream?
I’d like to win the Derby with one of my thoroughbreds, after three second places, and then, since dreaming costs nothing, go for the Arc de Triomphe. I would like to enter the roll of honour with our Italian colours. I would like Italian breeding to return to international levels and for everyone to ‘row’ in the same direction, without jealousy and prevarication, to do good for our horse racing. And above all, I would never want to lose my passion for horses and for life.
