The 2025 horse racing season risks not starting. The national decree of January 8 that requires the approval of municipal riding tracks and immediately prohibits the use of English thoroughbred horses on unsuitable tracks is alarming administrations, horse racing associations and entire Sardinian communities.
In Sardinia, six facilities – from Guasila to Fonni – are involved. And with the very tight technical timeframes to start the required work, the entire racing calendar risks being cancelled.
"The regulation is acceptable, but adequate time is needed to adapt," explains the mayor of Guasila and regional councilor of Sinistra Futura, Paola Casula. "I have written to the Presidency of the Council, the competent ministries and the Sardinian parliamentarians to ask for an extension."
According to Casula, a negative response would mean an immediate halt to events that have centuries of history and involve hundreds of people. "The world of Sardinian horse racing has always demonstrated seriousness and the ability to adapt. We cannot allow everything to be cancelled by an unrealistic deadline."