Horse racing isn’t new in Rome; in fact, it has been there for thousands of years. Yes, it evolved, and we no longer have many chariot races like in the Roman Empire, but the culture remains quite familiar with the sport.

However, their primary jewel that keeps the sport alive is none other than the Capannelle Racecourse. Yes, sadly, this is the only racecourse in Rome. However, it is a beautiful one with plenty of action throughout the year.

It is located in the city’s southeastern edge, 25km away from the Stadio Olimpico. It isn’t only a track, but a place where your pulse quickens as crowds go crazy when there is a big event.

So, this is a critical racetrack not just for Rome but for Italian horse racing. So, let’s learn more about the heart of Roman racing and how this track became a symbol of thoroughbred horse racing in the Eternal City.

The History of Ippodromo delle Capannelle

The Capannelle Racecourse isn’t something new; in fact, it has been around for thousands of years. The course was constructed in 1881 and rebuilt in 1926 to a design by Paolo Vietti-Violi.

Since then, it has been home to two Group 1 flat races, which were downgraded to Group 2 in 2019.

But the track didn’t look the same in the past. What started as a simple dirt oval racetrack near Villa Borghese not only moved to a different location in 1895 on a 140-hectare site, but it was also completely redesigned.

The big glow-up came when architect Paolo Vietti-Violi redesigned it with grandstands and a sleek layout, which cemented its status as Italy’s top horse racing jewel. The racetrack had a rough history, especially during World War II, when it was bombed. Still, it managed to bounce back in 1947, hosting the first post-war Derby Italiano.

Racing Season

Let’s go on a Capannelle race day – for example, a crisp April afternoon. The track is quite popular with locals and attracts around 10,000 fans, depending on the popularity of the race.

So, it isn’t a monument that speaks to history; it is also a living ritual where people come to get their adrenaline rush.

The 2025 season kicked off March 3, with the big grass track roaring to life after a shaky winter. By May, the Premio Parioli—a 1,600-meter sprint for three-year-olds—drew €103,500 in prize money, pulling top Italian talent and a few French invaders.

It’s Rome’s own, a proving ground where locals pack the stands—entry’s still just €3, so it is a racetrack made for the people.

The Layout

The Capannelle racecourse is home to two galloping tracks – one grass, one all-weather, stretching 2,000 meters, and a trotting oval for harness races. On top of that, there are nearby stables housing 700 horses at the peak racing season, and four grandstands offering an incredible view of the action.

Night racing is a draw too, thanks to 25 floodlight towers installed in 2006 (Capannelle archives), which let races run past sundown —a rarity in Italy. It’s a machine built to last, blending old bones with new tricks, all framed by the Alban Hills—a view that’s pure Rome.

Jockeys and Dreams

Meet the riders—folks like Dario Di Tocco, Italy’s 2023 champ, who’s back at Capannelle in 2025, chasing wins on horses clocking 38 mph down the stretch.

These aren’t just athletes; they’re dreamers, scraping by on €100,000 salaries for the best, risking it all for a shot at the Derby Italiano—€800,000 in 2024.

So, there is plenty of action happening, which means that the racetrack can only grow from here.

Rome’s Racing Anchor

Capannelle isn’t just a local hangout—it’s Rome’s anchor in Italy’s racing world. While Milan’s San Siro grabs headlines with the €700,000 Gran Premio di Milano,

Capannelle holds its own, hosting 50 race days a year—more than any other Italian track.

It’s the only spot in the world running both gallop and trot derbies, a feat cemented when the trotting track opened in 2014 (Harnesslink, 2014).

That pulls in €20 million annually—betting, tickets, food—keeping 500 jobs afloat. So, if you are here and you want to place a bet, make sure to get your horse racing bonus before you wager your own money.

Beyond cash, it’s a cultural peg: when Rock in Roma’s not blasting summer concerts, the track’s hosting kids’ pony rides or Easter Monday classics, tying Rome’s past to its present.

Capannelle in 2025

So yeah, Capannelle’s the heart of Roman racing—thrumming in 2025 with a mix of old-school charm and just enough modern hustle to keep it relevant. It’s where Rome lets loose, where a €5 bet or a jockey’s big break keeps the blood flowing.

Next time you’re near the Appian Way, swing by—grab a €3 ticket, sip a €4 vino, watch a 1:58 finish. Me? I’d be there for the chaos and the view. What about you—drawn to the track or just passing through?