Varenne, the celebrated Italian trotting horse known as the "Capitano," died Tuesday at age 31 [1].
His death marks the loss of one of the most successful athletes in the history of trotting, a sport where he became a national symbol of excellence in Italy.
The horse died on Aug. 18, 2026 [2]. Reports regarding the exact location of his death vary, with some sources placing him in Eboli and others citing Buen Retiro di Salerno [2, 5].
A veterinarian said the cause of death was "un infarto fulminante," or a sudden heart attack [2].
Throughout his career, Varenne established a dominant record in the sport. He achieved 62 wins out of 73 starts [6]. His consistency and speed earned him the nickname "Capitano" and made him a household name across Italy [1].
Public tributes began appearing immediately following the announcement. One tribute shared via MSN said, "Corri libero, rimani per sempre il nostro Capitano" — run free, remain forever our Captain [4].
Varenne's death comes approximately one year after the death of his owner [6].
“Varenne achieved 62 wins out of 73 starts.”
Varenne's career statistics place him among the elite of international trotting. His ability to win the vast majority of his starts provided a blueprint for training and performance in the sport, ensuring his influence persists in Italian breeding and racing long after his competitive years.
