Horse Racing in Sardinia Faces Uncertainty After New Decree

Sardinia has a horse racing economic impact that has been arbitrarily regulated by the recent decree limiting races outside of officially sanctioned racetracks. This law, issued on January 8, will affect a wealth of involved events, among them the historically prestigious Ardia of Sedilo, the most heralded race on the island.

The customary practice of horse racing in Sardinia is a long-run bid for elaborate tradition and culture with generations of included enthusiasts and followers from off-island. Racing events, viewed as a part of the traditional Sardinian lifestyle and associated with witchcraft practices, include the Palio dei Comuni in the town of Fonni, the Palio dell’Assunta in Orgosolo, and racing events in towns such as Guasila, San Giovanni Suergiu, Bono, and Pozzomaggiore. With this new decree on the horizon, these events now face uncertain viability, as the decree directly threatens, or arguably prohibits, racing on municipal racetracks and racing with English horses on these tracks.

This decree poses a serious issue in a region like Sardinia where a lot of races take place on smaller tracks that do not conform to these standards. The new regulations provide for improvements to the safety of horses and riders. Efforts to improve each of the tracks will require costly modifications of many or possibly entirely new tracks. However, with the racing season so close by, many organizers are concerned that there simply will not be time to meet the new standards.

The timing of this edict raises significant concerns that many local races including the Ardia of Sedilo will be outright cancelled or postponed, and that this will not only hurt the community it will also hurt tourism in Sardinia because many racers are from outside the area.

Horse racing in Sardinia is a legacy spanning hundreds of years, not only a sport. Held every July, the Ardia of Sedilo is among the most popular events on the Sardinian horse racing schedule; it is a cultural celebration and religious ceremony witnessed by thousands of people rather than a race.  These races mark the summer months for Sardinians. This is why so many Sardinians are concerned about a decree that would eliminate horse racing events like the Ardia, the cancellation of which would signify a loss in cultural heritage.

While the Palio dei Comuni isn’t promoted very well throughout the rest of Italy like in Sardinia, horse racing events are an important part of structuring identity for the local communities, such as the Palio di Ozieri, along with many other events which are linked together in what many of its residents consider their own heritage. The horse racing economic impact of these events is not just the ticket sales or tourism. It also affects jobs, businesses, and traditions. As proposed future legislation to ban horse racing all across Sardinia would take away the economic base of support, it would also be hurtful to the social fabric of the region. The horse racing economic impact is a powerful consideration in the future of these events. Losing them would impact local pride, jobs, and rituals through generations. For many of the towns the horse racing economic impact is their way of life.

The most pressing issues that will arise from the decree, is that the time given to the municipalities to make changes to their tracks is extremely short. Most of what is intended in the decree is going to require significant improvements to facilities, track surface safety barriers, veterinary services, and so forth. The change in implementations could take months to years.

With the racing season just around the corner, organizers and local authorities have expressed concerns about the feasibility of complying with the decree in such a short timeframe. Without the ability to meet the new requirements, the races will be blocked from taking place, which could mean the end of the season before it even begins.

The response to the decree has been swift, with local politicians and race organizers calling for revisions to the new regulations. Pietro Pittalis, a member of the Forza Italia party, has raised the issue in Parliament, questioning whether the decree takes into account the specific needs of smaller communities that host these races.

Many organizers are also working on proposals to ensure the races can continue despite the new regulations. Suggestions include seeking temporary exemptions or more time to comply with the new standards. However, given the limited timeframe, it remains unclear whether these proposals will be accepted.

The reaction from the public has been largely negative, with most Sardinians believing the new decree does not take into account the importance of maintaining traditions, for as these public horse races are culturally significant , economically wise, to small local towns, and across rural regions in the form of influx of visitors through the race season.

With the race season nearing, uncertainty continues to loom over the future of horse racing in Sardinia. Although these new rules intend to create safety and welfare, the timing and breadth of these rules may impose unintended burdens on smaller communities as they scramble to comply.

It is unknown how the government will respond to requests for changes or exemptions, but through it all one thing remains clear: it is imperative we save Sardinia’s horse racing as part of the Island’s cultural and economic heritage. Steps are being taken towards a resolution to allow these historic events to continue; however, there is an urgency about the matter.