Varenne, the legendary horse that captivated Italy, has died: he was 31 years old

The horse racing world is mourning the death of Varenne, one of the greatest trotters of all time. The legendary horse, whose races thrilled Italy, passed away at the ripe old age of 31.

“It is with immense sorrow that we share the news of Capitano’s passing,” reads the message posted on social media via the official profile. “Varenne passed away during the night, and the veterinarian confirmed that the cause was a sudden heart attack. We are devastated by the news we received this morning and want to remember him together with all his fans, as he soared toward his victories. Today, Varenne’s wings have carried him elsewhere. Run free forever, and you will always remain our Capitano. May the earth bless you. With so much love. “Join Enzo up there,” reads the moving tribute.

Varenne is considered the greatest trotter of all time: born in Copparo in 1995, he won numerous titles throughout his career, earning over 6 million euros in prize money. He is the most successful horse in the history of trotting worldwide: driven by jockey Giampaolo Minucci, his major victories include the Grand Prix d’Amérique in 2001 and 2002, the Italian Trotting Derby, the Gran Premio Lotteria di Agnano, and the Elitloppet—for a total of 73 races run and 62 wins. He won races all over the world, from New York to Paris, from Stockholm to Naples.

After retiring in 2002, Varenne has spent the last twenty years as a stallion and has sired more than 3,000 offspring over the years. After living for several years in Piedmont and in Pavia, Lombardy, he was moved to Eboli, in the province of Salerno, in 2025.