It was worth waiting 100 years to see the first Derby Italiano del Trotto in Turin. It was worth it for the public, who packed the Ippodromo di Vinovo beyond measure, now firmly established among the elite of European horse racing. But it was also worth it for those who won. One above all, and the others will forgive us: sixteen years after his first time with Nadir Kronos, but in Rome, Andrea Guzzinati with Iceberg LP on his home track once again made the race of races his own, the one that crowns the best Italian-bred 3-year-old, beating in an extremely exciting sprint the other home idol Santino Mollo with Il Trio Jet. The queen of the females in the Oaks del Trotto – Memorial Carlo e Asya Tranfo was Ischia Joy, who upset the odds, perfectly driven by Francesco Facci, getting the better of Ingrid AM with Antonio Di Nardo, who was already savouring victory.
But the public and racing professionals arrived from all over Europe, for the celebration of Italian racing pride and for the other two Group 1 Grands Prix on the programme. In the name of Varenne, the UET Elite Circuit final, the Champions League of European harness racing, was won by Frank Gio, who takes the Italian school to the top of Europe. Owned by Antonio Somma’s Scuderia Bivans and trained by Sebastien Guarato, with Mathieu Abrivard he beat the two big favourites, the French Go On Boy and the Swedish Don Fanucci Zet. No surprise instead in the Grande Prix de l’UET-Memorial Biasuzzi: German success with Fragolino Rosso, his fifteenth victory in 17 races. It ends with an enthusiastic assessment, because the public appreciated it. And from here Italian horse racing will restart.
This is confirmed by the words of Patrizio La Pietra, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry “We are showing the world the beauty of Italian harness racing. I thank the President and the UET delegates for their presence, I believe this is the best advertising that can be given to Italy”. And Peter Tuzla, President of the UET, confirms: “Thank you for inviting us and for what is a great celebration of the horse world throughout our continent. The Italian movement is one of the best and this is a perfect home for harness racing”.
