Snai Racecourses Historical Archive
A history more than 135 years long; Snaitech recounts the birth of its San Siro and Sesana Racecourses in a major effort to organize and select images and documents
Trotting races
Not only galloping, trotting races also required their own space: On October 27, 1892, the Trotter on Via Andrea Doria in Milan was opened, Milan's first real trotting facility.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - Gallop races. (1920)Museimpresa
Milan, the new gallop racecourt in San Siro area
Since the early 1800s, gallop races had been held in city centers. As a result of their great success, the need was felt to move them to a more suitable place to accommodate the general public: in 1888 the new Hippodrome was born in the suburban area of San Siro.
In 1893 the "Trotto" periodical is born
In the wake of trotting's success, the first pneumatic-wheel “sulky” factory arose in Milan and the first periodical devoted entirely to trotters was published: Il Trotto.
1920. The liberty style project of the Weighting Grandstand
The large turnout of Milanese spectators at the races again gave rise to the need to expand the reception areas. The design of the "Ippodromo del galoppo" was projected by architects Vietti Violi and Cantoni: the 1920 inauguration boasted the presence of 10,000 people.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - The packed stands at the new gallop racecourse. (1920)Museimpresa
Spending a day at the racecourse
With the inauguration of the new grandstands, the San Siro Racecourse began a glorious season that brought large crowds. Racing became a true social event and ritual.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - San Siro Gallop racecourse in Milan. (1916) by Arch. Paolo Vietti VioliMuseimpresa
1916. Section of the Weighting Grandstand.
Milan, San Siro Galloping Racecourse. Design by architect Paolo Vietti Violi.
1916. Cross section of the secondary Grandstand
Milan, San Siro Galloping Racecourse. Design by architect Paolo Vietti Violi.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - General plan of the San Siro Equestrian centre in Milan. by Arch. Paolo Vietti VioliMuseimpresa
General plan of the San Siro equestrian centre
Milan. Drawing by architect Paolo Vietti Violi (undated). The three facilities can be identified: Galloping Racecourse, trotting track and training center.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - The stands in the San Siro Harness Races Courses in Milan during a day of racing.Museimpresa
1925. Opening of the new trotting racing course
A few years after the opening of the Gallop Racecourse and still in the San Siro area, the trotting facility was opened, again designed by architect Vietti Violi. Horses from all over Europe arrived for the opening race.
The Sesana Racecourt in Montecatini Terme
In the early 1900s Montecatini Terme, thanks to its excellent spas, also became a center of entertainment for the upper middle class. Therefore, a hippodrome for racing could not be missing! In 1916 Baron Petrone and Commendator Sesana gave birth to the Sesana Racecourse.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - Sesana night races. (1938)Museimpresa
Sesana night races
In 1937 a modern track lighting system was installed, which allowed night races to be held. During the period of World War II the Hippodrome was closed during the harshest years of the conflict, until the grand reopening in 1946.
Snai Racecourses Historical Archive - The Leonardo's equestrian statue. (1999)Museimpresa
The Leonardo's horse statue
The equestrian statue of the Horse has been located at the entrance to the San Siro Hippodrome since 1999. It was created by sculptor Nina Akamu at the behest of the American Leonardo Da Vinci's Horse Foundation; the drawings Akamu based it on were Leonardo da Vinci's original ones.
Drawing by Leonardo, study of a horse, 1491.
Leonardo's earliest designs date back to 1482 when Ludovico il Moro proposed that he build the largest equestrian statue in the world, in memory of his father, Francesco Sforza.
Drawing by Leonardo. Study of a horse. About 1478.
Leonardo spent a great deal of time studying the anatomy of horses and making a perfect work.
