Horse racing: The day of the Agnano Lottery Grand prix has arrived

It just a few hours he will be blowing out sixty candles, but the retirement is far from likely.
Once the Varenne era finished many tried to make it disappear. The long hours live on television were cancelled, and it was divorced by the national lottery which gave it its name. No longer do people travel, by plane or train, from abroad to compete, and yet the Agnano Lottery Grand Prix is still alive and well.
The Lottery Grand Prix draws thousands of fans to it every year, and it is back again on the first Sunday of May this year. It may be pointless to repeat it, but it is the atmosphere and the particular charisma of the event which draws the fans to the event, which is composed of three batteries of races a final and a consolation race all in the space of a few hours.
There have even been attempts to emulate the Lottery Grand Prix, but so far nothing has come near to creating the same spirit. Bellei illuminated us last year, at the 59th edition, when he told us how it is important for all riders to be present at the Lottery; it is like winning an ‘ad honorem’ degree. To then win the event is the consecration for the victor.
The 2009 edition will see a few illustrious foreign riders compete, but the big hope is to a home-grown steed take the top pirze, after Exploit Caf in 2007 and Gambling Bi in 2008.