Varenne, the legendary trotter, has died: the memory of his driver Giampaolo Minnucci

The man who whispered to the horse has a broken voice this time. Giampaolo Minnucci, historic driver from Varenne, the other half of a symbiotic couple capable of conquering the world with records and sprints, on the phone with Ansa was moved to confirm what is starting to circulate on social media, the death of the "captain", as everyone in the horse racing world called the trotter for his charisma. "Yes, it's true - explains Minnucci - there was a symbiosis between us but he was the phenomenon, a horse of superior caliber, a competitor. When I rode him it felt like I was flying".

And indeed, beyond the victories, the relationship between Varenne and his driver had something special from the beginning. "I've always said - Minnucci has said several times in the past - that perhaps it was Varenne who chose me, we immediately hit it off. Did he recognize that I was leading him? I really think so". Minnucci enjoyed himself several times proudly reeling off records and successes: "We are talking about a horse that has won everything there was to win in the world: two Amériques, two Elitloppets, he set the world record in Mikkeli, in America, three Lotteries...". Even though he still has a mark on his hand, the driver: "He did it to me - he explained on television - we were playing and I put my hand on his mouth, he had a chipped tooth and here I am, others have tattoos, I have Varenne's mark".

"I didn't go to see him often - he said, almost apologetically - because when I left I was in awe: my life passed before me and I thought about all the times we crossed the finish line, him first and me second. Because, let's be clear, he was always in the lead, I say that I was awarded second place. However, how wonderful it was to have seen a champion like that: those eyes, that thought...". It may be the suggestion, but the voice seems sweet again: like when it whispered to the horse.