The Agnano Racecourse, a jewel of Europe

This is one of the oldest sporting venues in Europe, which for three quarters of a century has hosted trotting, galloping and steeplechase races.

by Chiara Scaramella

Between the Astroni Nature Reserve and the Agnano Thermal Baths lies the vast area on which the Agnano Racecourse complex stands.

This is one of the oldest sporting venues in Europe, which for three quarters of a century has hosted trotting, galloping and steeplechase races. The grounds cover a full 48 hectares, divided into trotting, galloping and training tracks, stables able to house as many as 964 horses, and plenty of other spaces for the public. The tracks, with their surface of river sand and tufa stone, have been crossed by the hooves and feet of the most important horses, drivers and jockeys on the international racing scene.

History

The history of the racecourse began just after the First World War, when the cavalier Raffaele Ruggiero donated Lake Agnano to the municipality, so that a racecourse dedicated to thoroughbred racing could be built on that land. Upon the cavalier's death, construction was entrusted to a group of sporting gentlemen who had already taken part in building the Villa Glori racecourse in Rome.

The racecourse was inaugurated and blessed by the then Cardinal of Naples, Ascalesi, on 2 June 1935, in the presence of important figures of the time, such as the future Queen Maria José. Only four months after the complex was inaugurated, the sand track dedicated to trotting competitions was built.

Although the racecourse was originally designed for galloping races, in the international racing world it is renowned for having contributed to the history of trotting as a discipline. On its tracks the greatest stars of this field have raced, including the wonderful horses Muscletone, Bayard, Tornese and, finally, the legendary — and still living — Varenne, a spectacular example of an Italian trotter who has totalled winnings of €6,035,665.

The Agnano Grand Prix

The international fame of the Agnano Racecourse stems from an important competition it hosts every year: the Gran Premio Lotteria di Agnano (Agnano Lottery Grand Prix). From its very first editions, this race attracted a large number of participants from all over the world, becoming the most famous competition in Italy and one of the most renowned in Europe. This international fame was probably due in part to the large prize money at stake, but it was certainly popular enthusiasm and the incredible setting of the event that did the rest.

The racecourse today

Today the racecourse, besides still hosting a variety of races, is also home to numerous events, such as concerts, lunches, parties and festivals.

Unfortunately, its fate today is in decline, and of the splendour of years gone by only the vivid memory remains, in the minds and stories of those who were there and of those who, today as then, keep the stables and the facility running. Nowadays, the number of races has dropped sharply and the prize money is often not even paid out, so that the racecourse survives only thanks to those passionate about the sport.

Of the five hundred horses housed by the facility, many race at other racecourses, such as the one at Aversa, while others are given away or sold off due to a lack of funds.

Info
Address: Via Raffaele Ruggiero, 1, 80125 Naples