TWO GENTLEMEN THAT HAVE MADE HISTORY
From the project that gave birth to San Siro to the breeder who made it flourish
In 1911 the Trenno Company began an international call for tenders to assign the project to create a new gallop racecourse in Milan. The architect Paolo Vietti Violi, who submitted a wholly Art Nouveau style project, was awarded the contract for the building, which opened in 1920. After that, Vietti Violi went on to complete more than 30 other racecourses and sports facilities in Italy and around the world.
Federico Tesio is another illustrious figure in Italian horseracing. Celebrated as the most important breeder, owner and trainer of horses in history. “Father” of absolute champions as Tenerani and Ribot, he believed the tracks of San Siro to be some of the most difficult and challenging for thoroughbreds. For Decades his horses were outright stars at racecourses across Italy and Europe.
To date, no one has managed to win as many Italian Derbies as Federico Tesio: 22 as breeder and 16 as owner.
LEONARDO’S HORSE
Galloping through the centuries
It is the world’s largest equestrian sculpture, cast in bronze by the American sculptor Nina Akamu, who’s work was inspired by the ingenious drawings of Leonardo da Vinci.
The original project was conceived in 1482 and commissioned by Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan, who wanted to dedicate the statue to the memory of his father Francesco. The horse never saw the light of the day: Leonardo’s perfectionism prolonged the preparation of the mould, by which stage the Duchy of Este was invaded by French troops and the tons of bronze intended for the horse were used to build cannons instead.
The French, not only invaded the city forcing both the Sforza and Leonardo himself to flee, but used the cast as a target for its archers, destroying it completely.
In 1977, Charles Dent, a US civilian pilot fascinated by the story of the horse, created Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse Foundation (Ldvhf) and through a fundraiser, was able to complete the project, five hundred years after the original design.
The statue was donated to the city of Milan, on the condition that it be exhibited in a location that could ensure its safety. Among the various proposed sites, the Foundation chose the gallop racecourse of San Siro. Divided into seven parts, the horse arrived in Milan in the autumn of 1999.
AN HORSERIDING GAMBLE
So useless, yet so useful
Betting on horses, after all, it quite simple: you choose your favorite horse, you place a wager on its victory or his placement and then wait for the race. Or rather, you live the race. Because after placing the bet, the horse almost becomes part of us: we admire it in the paddock, we follow it to the starting gate, we fix our gaze on it throughout the race, we cheer it on it during the decisive final meters and then... we rejoice with it if it wins, but also feel sorry for it if it loses.
Income generated by betting is the main tool for gathering the necessary funds for the breeding of horses, organising races and events, improving horse breeds and, consequently, enhancing the life and welfare of racehorses. Experienced in the right way, with care and without excess, betting can provide us with excitement and satisfaction whilst helping horseracing to exist.
THE PALAZZINA DEL PESO
San Siro’s beating heart
The Palazzina del Peso is the most exclusive location of the areas of Milan’s gallop racetrack. Owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, commissioners and jury, all have their "base" within this building, so called because, before and after each race, the rider and his saddle are checked to ensure that their weight fits within the set parameters.
The weighing operation is a ritual that has taken Place virtually unchanged for over a century: the jockey sits on the scales with his saddle and accessories, and the Commissioner verifies that the weight corresponds to the official programme, accordingly adding or removing small lead weights to/from special pockets if needed.
The trainer takes the saddle and carries it to the horse, whereas the jockey retreats for a few minutes of concentration before the race. After the race, back at the Palazzina, the horse is unsaddled and the weighing operation is repeated before the winner can go to the awarding ceremony. This happens for every single race, at racetracks across the whole world, renewing each time a tradition built on passion and love for a very unique sport.
SADDLING AND ROUND PEN
Careful preparation and constant controls for each thoroughbred
Preparation before each race is cared for in every detail: the grooms - personnel assigned to looking after the thoroughbreds – they brush the horses, clean their hooves, prepare the harness. Service vets check the state of health, and only if everything is ok they authorise coaches to saddle their horses.
Immediately after, the groom takes the thoroughbred to the round pen for its presentation and parades it before the audience. At the centre of the pen, the jockeys receive the latest instructions from coaches and owners on how to manage the race. Then, two announcements are made through the loudspeaker: "Jockeys on their horses!" Indicates that it is time to mount the thoroughbreds, and then, after a couple of laps around the pen, "Horses on the track!" signals that it’s time to move to the starting gate.
UNSADDLING AND AWARDS
Honours for all, not only for the winner
Upon arrival, horses are accompanied for their Unsaddling by jockeys and grooms, in the area opposite the Palazzina del Peso. Jockeys dismount, remove the saddles, commenting the outcome of the race with coaches and owners, also providing information on the performance and the form of their horses. The race vet checks every thoroughbred and authorises their return to the stables only if in perfect condition, save for fatigue due to the competitive race.
The winner receives deserved recognition, the jockeys proceed to the second weighing check and immediately after, if required by race protocol, the award ceremony can take place, with the presentation of trophies and photo of the winning horse.
THE HIPPODROME BOTANICAL PARK
A green lung near to Milan city centre
The Milan hippodrome represents an important natural resource for the city.
The San Siro SNAI Hippodrome hosts a precious botanical park, with 72 original and categorized types of plant from all over the world. Some of them are here from almost a hundred years.
A small lake hosts different types of ducks, included migratory birds and rare examples in Italy. San Siro Hippodrome area is a big green lung from Lotto Square to the training tracks, the Trenno park, the Boscoincittà, the Caves Park up to the South Park’s cultivations.