The entrance to the San Siro SNAI Racetrack is at Piazzale dello Sport 16. The ticket desks are located on the righthand side next to the entrance gates and are open only on race days. It is also possible to purchase tickets through pre-sales on the website www.ticketone.it.
The official program Start is on sale at the newsstand on the lefthand side of the fountain at the entrance; the Information Point is located between the fountain and the main grandstand.
The general public may visit the Main Grandstand or see the races in the parterre between the grandstands and the tracks; for arrivals on the straight track for races of 1,200 and 1,400 meters, special small grandstands are available at the 2nd and 3rd finish line.
The saddling area, where horses receive their saddles before each race, is on the lefthand side next to the presentation circle and is accessible only to owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, horse groomers and accredited journalists. The public may access the areas immediately outside the saddling area.
Before each race, the competing horses are accompanid by their respective workmen to the presentation circle, on the lefthand side next to the Palazzina del Peso. In this moment, the horses may be viewed from up close, to assess their physical and emotional state and evaluate on which horses to base ones bets. Within the circle, the jockeys receive the last minute instructions from trainers and owners.
Bets may be placed at various locations: at the betting area, behind the Palazzina del Peso; in a number of “gazebos” located between the Palazzina del Peso and the main grandstand, and next to the Kiosk of the Circle (Chiosco del Tondino); at the desks of the main grandstand; at the Punto Snai located in the secondary grandstand.
In the flat races, the start takes place through the opening of the gates of special cages, commanded by the starter. In hurdle races and steeple-chases, which are longer and characterized by slower speeds but greater endurance required of the horses, the start takes place upon a simple order given by the starter.
The San Siro SNAI Racetrack has three finish lines used on the basis of the length of the race: for all hurdle races and steeple-chases, and for flat races of up to 1,000 meters and 1,600 meters or longer, the main finish line is used, in front of the Palazzina del Peso; for flat races of 1,200 and 1,400 meters, two other finish ilnes are used, which are called, respectively the Second and the Third finish lines.
After arrival, the horses are brought to the area in front of the Palazzina del Peso, where the prize is awarded to the winner. In this area, a visual check is conducted on the horses to verify their state of health after the race.
The Palazzina del Peso was named this way because inside it, before every race, the weight of each jockey, including the saddle, is checked, in order to verify compliancce with the rules applicable to various races. The official program sets forth the weights envisaged and assigned for each horse. In the event of differences, small lead weights are added or removed from special pockets in the saddle.
For the races of Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 – the most important ones – the prizegiving takes place on a special platform near the track. Depending upon the importance of the races, prizes may be granted to the owner, the trainer and the jockey of the winning horse, as well as additional prizes.
For other races, a prize is awarded only to the winner in the unsaddling area.
The statue known as Leonardo’s Horse is located at the secondary grandstand. It may be visited year round, is entirely in bronze and was donated in 1999 by Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse Foundation to the city of Milan, which decided to install it at the racetrack.
It is the largest equestrian statue in the world, and was realized by the American sculptor Nina Akamu, using original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci who, due to political turbulence, never succeeded in completing the statue he designed in Federico Sforza’s honor.
is required for general access
to the San Siro SNAI racetrack, although
formal attire is particularly appreciated.
jackets and ties inside the Palazzina del Peso.
of the most important races
on the calendar, certain colors
for garments or accessories
are suggested (for example, green
for Oaks d’Italia, white and red
for the Gran Premio of Milan);
in this case, women are asked
to wear a hat.
are not allowed entry to the
Palazzina del Peso.
On Sunday and holidays and, in any case, on days on which “Group” races are scheduled, children may take part in various activities designed especially for them, as entertainment with specialized entertainers (games, drawing, marionette theater, baby dance, etc.) and ponies for short rides within the racetrack.
The program varies from time to time, information and updates are available on the website.
