The appeal of sulky trotting: precision, speed, and perfect harmony

Among the most spectacular disciplines in the equestrian world, the trotting with a sulky holds a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts. It is not just a speed race, but a perfectly orchestrated dance between horse and driver. The horse, strictly trotting and never galloping, pulls a light two-wheeled vehicle—the sulky—on which the driver sits.

Trotting requires balance, power, discipline, and nerves of steel. Every step must be kept perfectly regular: just a moment, a change in rhythm, and the horse can “break” its gait, risking disqualification. It is precisely in this extreme precision that this discipline shows all its beauty.

And it is in this world, made up of slow, powerful hoofbeats on the oval track, strategies, timing, sprints, and comebacks, that a timeless legend was born: Varenne.

Varenne the legend

On May 19, 1995, at the Zenzalino stud farm in Copparo, in the province of Ferrara, the horse that would become the strongest and most celebrated trotter in history was born: Varenne, “Il Capitano.” Son of the American stallion Waikiki Beach and the Italian mare Ialmaz, he bears a name that recalls the rue de Varenne in Paris, where the Italian embassy is located.

La sua carriera è un crescendo epico: con oltre 6 milioni di euro di vincite, è tuttora il trottatore più ricco di sempre, un primato che racconta solo in parte la grandezza di questo cavallo.

An already legendary debut

When Varenne made his debut in Bologna on April 4, 1998, he was still owned by Frenchman Jean Pierre Dubois. His first appearance was already a sign of destiny: despite coming disqualified for breaking stride, the young trotter makes such an impressive comeback that he crosses the finish line first, leaving the audience speechless.

The news reaches Enzo Giordano, a horse lover and money changer from Naples, who decides to buy him despite the extremely high price for a rookie: 150 million lire. A decision that will go down in history. From that moment on, Varenne raced under the colors of Scuderia Dany and is entrusted to the Tor San Lorenzo equestrian center, near Rome, where he will spend his entire competitive life.

The Captain and his driver

The Roman driver has guided him throughout his career. Giampaolo Minnucci, who forms an unbeatable duo with him. Together they dominate Italian and international tracks with an often embarrassing superiority, leaving a trail of victories and records that still seem unattainable today.

His charisma, power, and tactical intelligence transformed Varenne into a media phenomenon: loved, celebrated, and acclaimed as only the greatest sporting champions can be. He was to horse racing what Maradona was for soccer, Jordan for basketball, Senna for Formula 1.

A legend both on and off the slopes

When he retired in 2002, Varenne moved to the Equicenter in Inverno e Monteleone, near Pavia, where he became one of the most sought-after stud horses in the world. He continues to breed today, and his offspring—now numbering over two thousand—race on tracks all over the world.

His name is engraved in the collective memory: Varenne has been a guest of honor at equestrian events, the star of television programs, the opening act of news broadcasts, and the subject of posters and documentaries. A true folk hero of the horse racing world.

A legend that still lives on

His trophy cabinet, filled with trophies, tells not only the story of a career, but of an era. Varenne was “the horse that whispered to men,” the champion capable of thrilling even those who had never followed a trotting race. He was, and still is, the brightest symbol of world trotting

A horse like this does not belong only to horse racing: it belongs to history.