Numerous collateral events have been organized for the afternoon of Saturday, 15 November, on the occasion of the Premio Giulio Berlingieri: in the morning a selected auction of thoroughbreds will be held and the Premi San Siro 2014 will be awarded; in the afternoon, in addition to the artillery and the hunting on horseback, there will be entertainment for children with ponies, magicians, caricaturist and hot chocolate – Live broadcasting starting from 14:00 on Unire Tv (Sky channel 220), the Premio Berlingieri at 17:50 on Sky Sport 24 (Sky channel 200)

MILAN – Saturday, 15 November, the gallop racetrack of Milan will close its racing season for 2014 with a program which, in additio to the three hurdle races (including the Group 2 Premio Giulio Berlingieri) and four level races, also includes various other events dedicated to the public and kids.

   The day will begin late morning, at 10:45, in the desaddling area in front of the Palazzina del Peso, with a selected Sga auction, at which 35 thoroughbreds will be put up for auctio, including foals, yearlings and brood mares. For the first time, the auction will also include foals ranging between four and 15 months. It will be a useful opportunity for those who wish to become owners, to choose their own thoroughbred for winter training in view of the 2015 season.  

   At 12:15, on the panoramic terrace of the Palazzina del Peso the company Società Trenno, which manages the Milan racetrack owned by Snai Spa, will assign the Premi San Siro (San Siro Prizes), awards for the best horses, trainers, breeders, jockeys and gentlemen riders, both for number of races and for the greatest sums won over the course of the year.

   Established in June of this year, at the end of the spring season, the Premi San Siro is set to become a traditional event on the calendar, to grant a well-deserved acknowlwedgment to the protagonists of Milanese horse racing. 

   At about 15:00, between the second race and the Premio Giulio Berlingieri, a demonstration of horseback hunting   will be held, thanks to collaboration from the Milan society of horseback hunting (Società Milanese caccia a cavallo), with the presentation of the pack comprised of seven pairs of foxhounds. Horseback hunting dates back many centuries: the furst hunts were held in Italy in 1500, and later expanded to France and England.

  The contemporary version of horseback hunting is solely demonstrative and no prey is hunted or killed any more: the dogs follow a horseman who drags a rag or bag instilled with the odor of fox, to a pre-established area called the “kill zone” where the foxhounds receive a prize for their efforts. The hunt is strictly regulated by rules which impose the utmost respect for the environment, for the dogs and horses alike.  The  Società Milanese di Caccia a Cavallo is carrying on a tradition that boasts over  500 years of history, and the demonstration on Saturday will allow the spectators at the Milan racetrack to rediscover and live firsthand the values and splendor of this discipline.   

  The last day of races for the  year, morevoer, will close “with a bang”, and it will do so literally, with a cannon shot (with no cannon) from a battery of the Regiment of horseback artillery of the Santa Barbara barracks of Milan. At about 16:35, after the fourth race, twelve artillery horsemen, in a historic risorgimento style uniform, will bring onto the racetrack a historic cannon,  rupp model 1906, 75/27 with an ammunition chest, a piece that entered into service in  1908 similar to thos used by the Regiment during the Russion campaign during WWII. On 24 August 1942, the 2nd Group of the Artillery Regiment, as well as the 3rd Regiment Savoia Cavalry, took part in the charge of Isbuscenskij, known for being the last horseback charge carried out by the Italian army against actual troops.   

 In this case as well, spectators at San Siro may enjoy firsthand the re-evocation of an important period in history of Italy and Milan: the Artillery Regiment, indeed, was established and assigned to the Santa Barbara barracks on  1 November 1887 and since then has never left such base.

Entertainment for children

   The fall period does not stop the entertainers of “Infestiamoci!”, who have also prepared for Saturday a rich program of entertainment for our smallests guests at the racetrack: starting at  2:00, will find six entertainers waiting for them, the magician Alex with his magic tricks in the roadways of the racetrack, and in the pony area, as well as pony rides, a  gazebo with a caricaturist and kiddy make-up fun.

   In the paddock area, the fun and games will include an inflatable mini-castle, coloring, theater with Fantasy Magic Show, baby dance, balloon sculptures and, last but not least, a surprise that will be much appreciated by parents as well: a cart serving a snack of hot chocolate for everyone.  

Il Premio Giulio Berlingieri in tv

   Il pomeriggio di corse da San Siro sarà trasmesso in diretta da Unire Tv, sul canale 220 di Sky, a partire dalle ore 14.00; il Premio Giulio Berlingieri sarà inoltre diffuso da Sky Sport 24 alle ore 17.50.

Program for the day