Italy's undefeated legendary trotting horse Varenne dies at 31
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- Varenne, an Italian trotting horse renowned as the world's top racehorse and a symbol of elegance, died at age 31 from a heart attack.
- During his five-year career (1998-2002), Varenne won 62 of 73 races, including 53 Grand Prix, earning over 6 million euros and becoming the only horse to be named Horse of the Year in Italy, France, and the United States in 2001.
- Known as 'The Captain,' Varenne's legacy includes over 2,000 offspring, with his sperm sold globally for significant sums, and his induction into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2010.
The legendary Italian trotting horse Varenne, celebrated globally as the greatest of all time, has died at the age of 31. The undefeated champion succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of over 2,000 descendants and a vast international fan base.
Varenne, affectionately known as 'The Captain,' enjoyed a stellar five-year racing career from 1998 to 2002. He secured 62 victories in 73 races, including an impressive 53 Grand Prix wins. His total earnings surpassed 6 million euros, cementing his status as a sporting icon.
His exceptional talent and charisma were recognized worldwide. In 2001, Varenne achieved a unique feat by being named Horse of the Year in Italy, France, and the United States. He was further honored in 2010 with induction into the United States Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
He was a Ferrari with a brain.
Beyond his racing prowess, Varenne's influence extended to breeding. From 2004 to 2024, his sperm was sold internationally for prices ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 euros per cover, resulting in more than 2,000 offspring. His first son, Italo Del Ronco, was sold for a remarkable 150,000 euros.
Born in northern Italy on May 19, 1995, Varenne was named after a street in Paris. His owner, Enzo Giordano, acquired him after his 1998 debut, and Varenne quickly embarked on a path of successive victories. He set world records for the mile in 2001 and for the 1,000-meter track in 2002. In 2002, he set an unbroken speed record for 2,100 meters at the World Cup in Vincennes, even with a broken sulky wheel.
He traveled the world, flew more often than a pilot, and was honored by Pope Wojtyla and the President of Italy Ciampi.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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