The racecourse history

"Ippodromo del Mediterraneo"was inaugurated on December 8th 1995. The first lot was completed in less than two years from the beginning of the works (1993). For the occasion, at the presence of over twenty thousand people, the jockeys Lester Piggot, Willie Carson and John Riddle, icons of world horse-racing, raced at the track. The “clou” race of the day was “Gran Premio U.N.I.R.E.”, won by “Lord Carmelo” ridden by Willie Carson. In December 1995 five racing days took place. On October 23rd 1996 the first “tris“ race is scheduled.

In 1997 the second lot of works was completed. In October 1997 the racecourse staged the traditional “Carabineers carousel”, followed, despite the pelting rain, by thousands of people.

Year 2000 was characterized by the “novelty” of trot. In fact in August the first trot meeting takes place. On December 8th 2000 the first edition of “Memorial Francesco Faraci”, that becomes the race with the highest prize-money “followed” by the traditional “Gran Premio U.N.I.R.E.” took place.

December 7th 2002 was a very important day for “‘Ippodromo del Mediterraneo”; at “clou” day eve the track illumination plant, that is among the greatest in the world for illuminated surface, was inaugurated.

On March 27th 2004 the Italian leg of “Fegentri World Cup Prize of Nations.” is staged. The Racecourse will host all the following Italian annual legs of “Fegentri World Prize Cup of Nations” until 2007.

Year 2005 at “Ippodromo del Mediterraneo” began under the best auspices; on January 6th Frankie Dettori arrived in Syracuse. The most loved “Jockey” by the Italians offered to over twenty thousand race goers applauding him, spectacle and a test of great professionalism getting two victories and a second place in three races. On July 23rd 2005 “Gran Premio Federnat”, the most prestigious European amateurs trot race was staged. On December 8th 2005 the Racecourse celebrated ten years of activity scheduling two Listed Races: the sixth edition of “Memorial Francesco Faraci” (won by Los Bonitos ridden by Marco Monteriso) and the first edition of “Criterium del Mediterraneo” (won by Miss Bikini ridden by Fabio Branca).

The event of January 15th 2006 was exceptional. The new polyfunctional multi-storey grandstand, that has unique characteristics and volumes in Italy was inaugurated at the presence of authorities and of an enormous crowd of public. During this racing day the first edition of the Listed “Nastro d’oro in Sicilia” with the participation of the jockeys Olivier Peslier and Michael Kinane besides to the best Italian jockeys took place. Olivier Peslier won with ”Ira Funesta.”

On June2nd 2006 in Syracuse there was the final competition of the “Mediterranean Jockeys Championship 2006.”

Between December 8th 2006 and January 14th 2007 at “Ippodromo del Mediterraneo” an important races meeting (four listed, two main handicap, the Italian leg of the Mediterranean Jockeys Championship and many important conditioned and handicap races) with horses and jockeys of excellent level is scheduled.

The race meeting of end 2007 and beginning 2008 looks also worthy of a great attention.

History goes on.