Italian racing facing stiff challenges

While British racing is about to stage a comeback after the equine flu scare, Italian horse racing’s future looks far from certain.

The country's racing lurched into further crisis last week when the European Pattern Committee (EPC) stripped the country of its last remaining Group 1 race.

The Lydia Tesio (2000m) for threeyear-old fillies, held late in the European season in November, was downgraded to Group 2 level.

Italy, which hosted as many as nine Group 1 races in 2006, also had their membership status in the EPC downgraded to an 'Associate Member' with immediate effect.

"The Committee welcomed the attendance of representatives of the Italian Ministry for Agriculture and their commitment to address the difficulties which had shrouded Italian horse racing and thoroughbred breeding in recent years," said EPC Chairman Brian Kavanagh.

The EPC have placed requirements on Italian racing, including those relating to the prompt payment of prize money, as well as to the regulation of out-of-competition testing.

The Lydia Tesio is held at Rome's Capannelle racecourse, which is currently the subject of an ongoing dispute between the track's operators (HippoGroup) and Rome's council (Roma Capitale) as the municipal body is seeking a retrospective yearly payment of €2.5 million.

Consequently, the racecourse hasn't hosted race meeting since the start of this year.

Approximately 700 horses have continued to train at Capannelle in the interim, making it one of Italy's main facilities.

It's been reported that should no agreement be reached by the end of February the racecourse will close.