Horses and jockeys are in position, the gates open, and here they go!
Have you ever experienced the thrill of being a spectator at a horse race?
In the world of horses and sports lovers, there is nothing more adrenaline-pumping than watching a horse race. Whether they are trotting, leading a sulky or running at a wild gallop on a racecourse or between the gates of a traditional Italian “Palio”, the love that the world has with this ancient sport is an affair that has lasted for hundreds of years, and that despite everything seems to not fade.
In Italy, the history of modern trot and gallop races that we know today begins after the unification of Italy, but the races between horses and riders were a common affair, as in Bologna where already in 1846 races were run in chariot like devices called "seats", the ancestor of the modern sulki we know today.
In Milan, on the other hand, since 1807 the nobles used horse racing to challenge each other or resolved disputes with galloping contests through the countryside or the streets of the city, where the prizes were not so much material as demonstrations of honor.
However, it is in England where the culture of horse racing was born. Already in the 1400’s, thanks to the good breeding of thoroughbred horses, horse races became real cult events in the noble and popular English society, thanks also to the interest of the Royal family.
And this is how events such as the races in Ascot or Epsom (immortalized by the great painter Gericault) became fashionable, a place for the ladies to show off their famous English hats.
In Australia, the Melbourne Cup race is even a national holiday. While in Dubai the hippodrome was the first construction built first, preceding the city.
The Chinese are also big bettors but the most expensive horses are sold in America.
And after so many years of love for horse racing, of course we had to dedicate an incredible section of the collection to this world.