help on Europian vacation

[bcassidy]

I will (unfortunately) be in Italy on Oct 29th, the day of this year's breeder's cup races. Does anyone know how Italy covers the american racing scene? Are there simulcast centers or racetracks located throughout italy? I would very much like to see the races live if at all possible.
On a second note, where is the horse country of italy? do they have the equivalent of our kentucky any where in their country. I might like to visit some of their farms. Thanks for the assistance in advance.

[louis finochio]

I know many bloodstock agents that are from the Euro area. They will give you the info you need. Let me ask them and I will get back to you.

[bcassidy]

Louis, thanks so much for the help.

[Bettina]

Hallo,
for many years Germanbred horses are starting at Italian tracks.
For example the "San Siro" track at Milan and the "Capannelle Racetrack" at Rome.
Their is another track at Meran, but it's mostly a "jump races" track.

Regards, Bettina

[Bogataj]

Italy is one of the "heaviest" countries in Europe regarding betting. That is why on the tracks they usually simulcast more races (from different tracks) - mostly from Italy, but I have seen some foreign races as well (I think it was in Treviso, which is one of the smallest Italian racetracks). I guess it all depends if there's a chance of betting on horses in a certain race. And major tracks have more options for betting.

But I am afraid that it's going to be already very late here in Europe when the races in USA are going to take place... So, I suggest you find a webcasting provider (usually on-line betting). I am sure that it is possible to see the races on their sites (but normaly you have to pay for the pleasure), or you can find one that "broadcasts" races a few days later (and search through their archives).

It's all in your Google, Altavista... and they work everywhere (even in Europe )

[louis finochio]

To Brendan: I asked trainer Ron Mc Nally about the tracks in Italy, Ron said their are 2 major tracks 1-in Rome and the other in Milan.

Ron said if you want to watch the BC races live you will have to travel to England or Ireland, as their is no BC live feed in Italy.

When I was in Italy I gained weight, as the food is bon apetite, very good.
I hope you ship well and have a wonderful trip. Yours in Sport Louis.

[bcassidy]

Louis, I hope my new wife will understand the detour. I don't think I can miss this year's BC races. It is my favorite sporting event of the year. I have been waiting a year to avenge last year's third place finish for my colts sister, Wonder Again. Thanks for checking on the racing scene in Italy, I have time to come up with an alternate plan. I will let you know what I decided to do. It sounds like it is going to take a lot of creativity.

[madelyn]

I guess Ron must be an expert on the European scene... if it was me I would be checking with my broadband carrier about coverage, haul my laptop along and watch them over wireless broadband on my pc using my brisbet account. Slow and jerky, but failsafe.

[FOS]

hi bcassidy

I would expect that if anyone could direct you to the possible Breeders' Cup coverage you'll be looking for...it might be

Franco Castelfranchi
Chairman of ANAC (Italy) and the EFTBA (European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations)

Email: [email protected] (and/or possibly: [email protected])

address: ANAC
Via del Caravaggio, 3-20144 Milan, Italy
tel: 0039-02-49.80.589

I hope this might help you.

Respectfully

[bcassidy]

FOS, thank you. I will contact him and see what insight he can provide.

[BenB]

If BBC gives a coverage from it. The most easiest go and sit by the tv.
The time table is about 6 hours different from New York, so when the races starts at 3 am, it will be mid european time 9 am.
Iam watching behind my pc with superfast broadband. Very easy.
But italy is a 1400 miles from here, it depend were you,re staying.
Enjoys.

[Bogataj]

But italy is a 1400 miles from here

Believe me (as I already wrote)... Italy is just a click away. Hey, guys, we are living in Europe and not in Hobbiton

[louis finochio]

This morning I met my good friend Eugene a bloodstock agent who was born in Italy. Eugene told me that they have off track beting shops in Italy and they all show the BC live.

The tracks in Milan and Rome will have the live BC races at their tracks.
Thanks Eugene for this info.

[bcassidy]

louis, thanks I am in rome today so i will be getting my arrangements squared away for tomorrow's racing. this is a media black hole if you are an american. i am so used to getting what ever information i want whenever i want it, it is difficult to handle. they don't cover any american sports here, let alone racing.
for whatever it is worth. i love wonder again in the f&m turf race tomorrow. good luck to all.

[parlo]

Hi, Brendan,

welcome to Europe and have a nice and interesting time with many enriching impressions!

By the way: Even Europeans don’t live in the Middle Ages any more. So they can have as well any information whenever they want in using the web. According to European rich cultural heritage we still use different languages in different countries – nevertheless – as You’ll best see in this message board – most of them are able to speak at least one foreign language and very many of them can speak English as a “lingua franca” quite well.

Don’t forget Europe and especially the Mediterranean cultures of Romans and Greeks build the origin of modern western way of life and democracy.

Why should we cover American sports - are popular European sports like soccer, rugby, handball, hockey, cycling covered in the US? For most of us, f. e. baseball is a boring game for lazy people. And the European tb-racing scene is much richer than the American – try to go to England, France, Ireland and even other European countries with their broad variety of old tracks and racing-systems.

Excuse me, but we live in a world which is much more diversified and richer in its local values, habits and traditions than most of us can grasp. Much of actual conflicts in the world are originated in the wrong US-American believe, that the US-American way of life is the ultimate solution of all problems. This may be true for a very small number of people in an elite society – but this leads back to a kind of colonialism the Europeans adjured in due course of two terrible wars.

It's all a question of consensual give and take and not "you have to give me now". What can You offer?

Respectfully –parlo-