Varenne - Overview

Overview

According to several veterinarians, Varenne would never race due to a leg malformation. His first owner bought him for a mere $ 6000, but because of his perceived handicap (chip) proceeded to sell him after the first race, considering him to have no future as a race horse. Time would soon tell otherwise. This handicap would never pose a problem for Varenne.

Varenne won 62 races, ( 53 GPs-major races), in 11 different distances, (from 0,99 mile to 1,708 miles), 6 second, 2 third, of 73 career starts. He has earned US$ 8,750,00 (€6,035,665), setting a record high for earnings won in the history of harness racing.

Varenne holds the record as the most widely-traveled horse in the history of horse racing, winning in 7 countries spanning the globe.

Varenne is the sole European trotter to win the Breeders Crown (2001) in the U.S.A., where he set the world speed record ( 1 mile in 1.51.1 - average per kilometer 1.09.1). Was the first time he ran the distance of 1 mile. (Many experts believe this was the most beautiful race in the history of harness racing) .

Another historical victory took place at the World Cup 2002 in Vincennes, where Varenne won yet again even though the wheel of the sulky was broken, setting the world speed record of 2100 metres ( unbeaten record 1.10.8 average per kilometer - track 1 kilometer).

In Finland 14 July 2002, in "Race St. Michel (Mikkeli)", Varenne has established the European speed record of 1.09.03 (unbeaten record, average per kilometer for the mile- )

In 2002 in the Elitlopp, he took it in a world record time of 1:53.1 in the elimination and then bested that mark by winning the final in 1:53 – the fastest mile ever trotted around three turns( unbeaten record)

He is the first foreign horse to have won the Horse of the Year award in the U.S and the only foreign horse to have won the Horse of the Year award in France, as well as the only horse to have won Horse of the Year in 3 different countries, all in the same year (2001).

Varenne has established numerous track records on various racetracks. He won the Prix d'Amérique twice (2001–2002), considered to be the most difficult race in world of harness racing (2700 meters / 1.708 miles - 18 starters).

His most prestigious victories include the Prix d'Amérique, Elitloppet, Gran Premio della Lotteria and Breeders Crown. He is the only horse to win the most important races in the same year (2001)

Varenne won all the most prestigious races around the world beating the strongest horses including champions like Moni Maker ( 3 times), Général du Pommeau ( 5 times), Fan Idole ( 5 times), Victory Tilly ( 4 times), Viking Kronos ( 1 times), becoming the king of trotting.

Since 2010, the name "Varenne" and his incredible story, will live forever in the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in New York. This is the most prestigious recognition in America, typically dedicated to legendary American horses only.

In May 2011 Kanal 75, the Swedish company that broadcasts harness racing on TV4 Sport in Sweden, asked 38 international media to rank tracks, horsemen and horses, and the answer to the final question in the survey has finally been revealed. Kanal 75 asked its panel, which included The Horseman And Fair World's Kathy Parker, to name the best horse of all time, and Varenne came out on top.

Varenne’s character was always calm. Never did he did suffer from anxiety before or after a race. Not even all the caresses, flash photography, air travel, change of time zones, or invasions of the track by his fans made him nervous in any way. His vet called him an "intelligent horse with incredible patience.”

Known in Italy as "Il Capitano" (the Captain), he was the only animal in history with a press office staff. Many people worked for the iconic Varenne. Thousands of gadgets, t-shirts and hats were produced in his name. For a number of months, the Italian cities were covered with giant posters depicting Varenne and millions of Italians followed his victories on live television.

Varenne also raised money for disabled children. The proceedings of his 2002 victory at the “Premio Mario Locatelli” went entirely to charity for the Carlo Gnocchi Italian center. These proceeds helped complete the project on "Cascina Linterno" in Milan that provided a range of services for people with disabilities, including an equestrian facility for the rehabilitation of people with physical and mental disabilities, through horse therapy.