Antonio, you play a responsible role. Representing those who chase a dream, that of horse owners. Is it a demanding role?
Absolutely. But it gives me pleasure to lend a hand to the category. It is a joy and an honour. Horse racing is a sport that has the flavour of a fundamental family tradition for me.
From my father’s trotting to galloping. Does one currently have to diversify to do business in Italy?
If one wants to be an entrepreneur and make money, perhaps one has made a mistake by choosing to be an owner at the gallop. I’m joking. More than diversifying, as far as I’m concerned, I can say that I like the trot, we saw each other at the Anact Auctions in Rome, but seeing horses gallop has always given me an immense emotion. And then, let’s be honest, I didn’t want to compare with a father who bred a myth like Varenne (laughs).
How many galloping horses do you own?
On the racetrack I have two horses and in breeding, six mares with their foals.
After pleasure comes duty. How is the current state of horse racing?
I must say that I really appreciate the commitment of the Ministry, which has been showing, for the past two years, that it cares about the horse racing industry. The 5% taxation is proof of this. In Europe we are a model here. But not only that, we have a dedicated Directorate General that has never been there in the recent past and that has intervened, even in the case of Varese, with reactivity and a strong stance. It promptly took on board our reports of incautious management. In short, we see a clear change of pace compared to before. Of course, not everything is settled yet, and the Varese issue itself is an example that there are still things to settle, but I feel that the direction taken is the right one.
And what about the news of a possible elimination of group and listed races?
Yes, it is a problem, no doubt. It must make us alarmed and reflect in order to find the right countermeasures. A few years ago we lost the last remaining Group 1, the Lydia Tesio. Now the relegation of the Primi Passi, Group 3 for two years, and two/three listed is threatened. This is not good, indeed, but the worst, in my opinion, is already over. If we can sort out the payments of the foreign teams and offer more targeted programming, we can do it. We have to provide more certainty to the players in the chain, breeders, owners, in this way we will be able to bring back those who want to invest. In the medium term we can return, certainly not to the post-war times with Ribot, but to a recovery yes. I repeat, even if it is a relegation, we must try to use it to change some things, improve and start again with more momentum and achieve positive results for 2025.
You have presented a timeshare project. Is time-sharing your thing?
I would also like to bring trotting and galloping together, mind you. Quite apart from the jokes, it is true, we believe it is essential to regulate and facilitate the creation of syndicates that would give even minority partners the opportunity to be full players in the pursuit of a dream. In the registration of ownership, it is not only he who owns the colours, but he who buys, for example, even ‘one leg’ of a thoroughbred. Horse racing is a noble sport (in the sense of high emotions) and so we try to bring this ‘experience’ of nobility to an audience of fans who are just waiting to be part of it.
As a family, you have never left anything to chance. Varenne is proof of that. What do you expect in the future? A goal, the dream of Antonio Viani?
As President of the Gallop Owners’ Association, to have as many members as possible and to create an equestrian community. As an owner, to find at least one gallop ‘Uniforz’, i.e. an excellent horse that has won great prizes. I am not saying Varenne because he is unattainable, he is and remains Varenne and by definition he is not reproducible.
I feel like giving a sign of hope for the future of horseracing, even in difficult times: yes, it can, do!!!
We will do everything not to let brains, money and ‘hooves’ flee.
