Ciao tutti… and they’re off.
We bring you good news from Italia courtesy of Frankie Dettori, Italy’s brand ambassador for their new promotional campaign.
Frankie is Italy’s most famous horseman since well, ever.
Only the most devoted racing fans, or Italians, though would be able to name you another Italian jockey.
But, in truth, Italy has a rich tradition with the cavalli.
It goes back to the days of the Romans and the superstar chariot drivers.
Champion jockey Frankie is a proud Sardinian and waxes lyrical about his island, particularly the beaches.
While he also extols the virtues of Rome all of which I share.
Rock god
Being the rock god that he is, of course, Frankie namechecks other iconic Italian cities, fashionable Milan, Venice and cultural Florence
While he also bigs up the Amalfi Coast and Capri, and for the winter Cervinia
If it’s horses you want then the Palio di Siena on July 2 andd August 16 is a horse of another colour.
The Palio like all traditions in Italy has its origins in religion with the first running of the bareback race in the mid-1600s in honour of the apparition of the Virgin Mary.
The jockeys are kitted out in the colours of their districts, the Contradas of Siena as they race around the square.
Our friend Frankie has his English subtitled in the promotional video which is something Scots and Irish have become used to over the years so our sympathy.
Wait for it
For the women (and the men) it’s not what Frankie says but how he says it anyway, and how he looks and the background of Italia.
But wait for it, Frankie’s pay off is Italia Wait For It. And we will.
And when we get back it’ll be with our old favourites Topflight, the Italian specialists.
Now all I need are some suitable colours.
