The history of the location of the current ‘Endo Botti Galoppo’ stable is lost in the mists of time. It was built in the early 1900s by Cristiana Brivio’s great-grandfather. Initially, it was a breeding centre. In 2008, when Endo stopped being a jockey, they decided by mutual agreement with his lady to embark on a new adventure. Initially there were only a few horses available, then with the explosion of Jackalberry, the centre’s flagship thoroughbred and winner of the first Gr.1, which raised the centre’s profile, the wind changed. The number of customers has increased and the stable has grown exponentially, inserting itself, in a winning and convincing way, among the biggest Italian giants: Stefano Botti, Bruno Grizzetti. The centre is characterised by a private track that has nothing to envy the prestigious international stables.
Endo, a ranking of the most successful trainers in Europe appeared; England, Ireland, France. Italy is fourth, thanks to you. What were the components that determined this excellent result?
Certainly the trust placed in us by the owners, my and Cristiana’s commitment, and then a close-knit team. Having chosen good horses at the auctions was a further added value.
Which horses best represent your ‘trademark’?
I’d start with Klaynn, the youngest mare who won us the Dormello, and among the seniors, Estrosa, who gave us great satisfaction. Massimiliano Allegri’s mare won almost everything last year: five Listed, a second and a third place in Gr.3. But the other trainees are also promising. A mention for Mr Darcy, we won him at auction, after a race to sell where he won a lot, and we took him to run in group races.
For 2025, you have again put your trust in Dario Di Tocco and as second mount Alessio Satta. Is there collaboration between them?
Yes, there is a good understanding and they are working very well together. Harmony at work is a very important factor.
Do you have collaborations with foreign teams?
Honestly no, everyone gets their own experience. The training systems are now standardised.
Endo how do you share the tasks with Cristiana?
I take care more of the technical aspect and Cristiana more of the bureaucratic part and the relationship with the jockeys’ manager. There is no prevarication or competition between us, on the contrary we are complementary. Respect for each other’s work is our credo.
Can you explain the difference between a morning jockey and a running jockey?
Morning jockeys do the routine work, a fundamental role, while the others are professionals. They have a different weight, they are lighter, and we use them to do the finishing work. Dario and Alessio are usually with us on Wednesdays and Fridays. Right now we have 120 horses, so we also have a team of ‘grass jockeys’ who come on the two key days to help us out.
And who are they?
Andrea Fele on Wednesdays, Sandro Gessa on Fridays, and then we have three trainees who have just come out of the jockeys’ school at San Rossore, who are very promising and will start riding at the end of March.
What do you expect from this new year?
To improve more and more and if not, I would sign up to confirm the result obtained in 2024.
What does the European ranking refer to?
It refers to the amounts won in 2024. We beat my cousin Stefano’s stable, with whom there is a lot of rivalry, by 1,000 euros. They too tried to the last to win this title, as well as the title of races won in Italy, but they didn’t win. We are bringing horse racing back from being a monopoly. And then we got lucky.
But fortune favours the bold.
So we were bold.
