“The Captain” Varenne turns 19 today

The most extraordinary trotter of all time turns 19 years old today.
Most of us will remember the incredible achievements of Varenne, nicknamed “The Captain”, the trotter who won the most prestigious international trophies available including the 2002 Grand Slam. In that year, the performer literally beat every record and all of its opponents with its loyal rider Giampaolo Minnucci.
Varenne is the only horse in the history of world horse racing to have won the horse of the year for three different nations: Italy (2000, 2001, 2002), France (2001, 2002) and the United States (2001). The horse is also the only one to have won all of the major races.
After all of the above success, Varenne was retired for a well-earned retirement in September 2002. Since then, the horse has been dedicating his time solely to reproduction purposes and has been equally as successful. Varenne has in fact so far produced 4 winners of the most important Italian race: the Trotters Derby.
The story of Varenne’s rise to the top has fascinated fans of the sport. From being considered not good enough and the early setback of an injured hind leg, to the intervention of Finnish coach Jori Turja, the stallion went from strength to strength, one race at a time before becoming the all-time champion that we all know and admire.
Varenne was born in May 1995, son to Waikiki Beach and Ialmaz. In his career, he’s won nearly 6 million euros and the use of his breeding services is estimated at 15 thousand euros. His home is the Grifone di Vigone (TO) Breeding Farm where the owner Enzo Giordano is planning a birthday party for “The Captain“ that will be held on the morning of Saturday the 31st of May
source: allevamentoilgrifone.it