Giampaolo Minnucci's Farewell to Varenne: "You Will Always Be in My Heart"

On this day of sorrow following the passing of Varenne, the most poignant voice to capture is undoubtedly that of Giampaolo Minnucci, the Roman driver who was his racing partner, the man who for years shared victories, journeys, and history-making performances with the 'Captain' of trotting. In the morning, reached by telephone by Corriere dello Sport while he was in Eboli, beside the body of his champion friend, Minnucci could only utter a few broken words: "I am devastated, I am here with him now."

We reconnected with him in the evening, as he arrived at the Cesena Hippodrome to follow the scheduled races. Still deeply affected, he recounted how he had stepped aside, away from the stands and the public. He then decided to open up, entrusting a few but significant words to the memory of a life spent alongside his champion friend: "At a time like this, it's difficult for me to express what I feel, what I'm thinking, the pain and sadness that run through me. It's also hard to say what I think of the horse. He was nicknamed 'the Captain,' 'the Son of the Wind,' the horse that made us dream and took us to all the Italian stages and on television screens worldwide. It was an era where, to follow him, we were always glued to the television. We experienced more victories than defeats."

His memory then turned to Enzo Giordano, his historic owner, and to a decision that, according to Minnucci, better illustrates Varenne's significance for Italy than many others: "In those years, an incredible offer arrived from the United States to buy him. Enzo Giordano replied: 'I am not selling the horse, because this horse belongs to all Italians.' No owner at the time would have refused such a sum that the Americans offered. Today, a symbol of the Italian flag has passed away. Honor to you, Captain. The horse that carried us into history."

Finally, the most personal thought. That of the man before the driver. And his voice breaks: "I would like to say a special thank you to him for what he made me see, feel, rejoice in. For what he made me be. Today, if I am Giampaolo Minnucci, it is solely and above all thanks to him." A pause, then the final farewell: "Thank you, Captain. You will always be in my heart."

On this day of sorrow following the passing of Varenne, the most difficult voice to capture is inevitably that of Giampaolo Minnucci, the Roman driver who was his racing companion, the man who for years shared victories, travels, and historic feats with the 'Captain' of trotting. In the morning, reached by telephone by Corriere dello Sport while he was in Eboli, beside the body of his champion friend, Minnucci was unable to add anything more than a few words: "I am devastated, I am here with him now."

We reached him again in the evening, when he had arrived at the Savio Hippodrome in Cesena to follow the scheduled meeting. Still deeply affected, he recounted how he had stepped aside, away from the grandstands and the public. Then he decided to let go, entrusting his memories of a life spent alongside his champion friend to a few but significant words: "At a time like this, it's difficult for me to express what I feel, what I'm thinking, the pain and sadness that are crossing me. It's also difficult to say what I think of the horse. He was nicknamed 'the Captain,' 'the Son of the Wind,' the horse that made us dream and took us to all the Italian stages and on televisions around the world. It was an era in which, to follow him, we always remained glued to the television. We experienced more victories than defeats."

Then the memory returns to Enzo Giordano, his historic owner, and to a choice that, according to Minnucci, speaks more than many others about the significance Varenne assumed for Italy: "In those years, an incredible offer arrived from the United States to buy him. Enzo Giordano replied: 'I am not selling the horse, because this horse belongs to all Italians.' No owner, at that time, would have refused a sum like the one the Americans offered. Today, a symbol of the Italian flag has passed away. Honor to you, Captain. The horse that took us into history."

Finally, the most personal thought. That of the man before the driver. And his voice breaks: "I would like to say a special thank you to him for what he made me see, feel, rejoice in. For what he made me be. Nowadays, if I am Giampaolo Minnucci, I owe it solely and above all to him." A pause, then the final farewell: "Thank you, Captain. You will always be in my heart."