On Saturday, 5 September, the summer meeting at the Ippodromo del Savio in Cesena reaches its grand finale with the 92nd renewal of the Campionato Europeo di Trotto Orogel. This prestigious Group 1 sprint over 1,660 metres is not only an illustrious classic in its own right, but also serves as the fifteenth and penultimate qualifying leg of the 2026 UET Elite Circuit. This continent-wide championship culminates on 11 October with an eagerly anticipated final in Turin.
Unlike previous renewals where the unique heat-racing format with an eventual run-off bella took centre stage, the European title clash is now decided in a single, decisive contest. Drivers will need to have their horses sharp right from the start around the compact 1,000-metre oval at Savio. The existing track record of 1:10.3, established by the brilliant Arazi Boko, remains the ultimate target for the assembled field.
While the Italian contingent is typically formidable, it is a high-class international cast vying for the spoils. Alessandro Gocciadoro enters the fray with powerful ammunition. His stable star Dany Capar (Exploit Caf) rates as one of the leading contenders following an impressive triumph in the Gran Premio Città di Montecatini. He is joined by stablemate Click Bait, the 2024 winner, who boasts the fastest personal record in the lineup despite a recent dry spell.
Holger Ehlert sends out the classy Bleff Dipa (Mister J.P.), who has landed numerous classics under the guidance of Roberto Vecchione. Although the stallion is generally renowned for his prowess on larger tracks, he can never be ruled out around Savio. Dolce Viky, handled by Andrea Guzzinati, also confirmed his fine form at Montecatini and will have plenty of eyes on him from barrier 11.
The field is further boosted by renowned sprint specialists such as Edgar Saba, who seeks to follow up on his previous French Group 3 victory on home turf. Sharp starters like Dali Prav and Global Agreement will be keen to secure handy early positions, while Eminem Font, Finalmente Par, Follia D'Esi and Diamond Francis complete the competitive field of twelve fighting for European honours.
In the UET Elite Circuit standings, Epic Kronos currently leads the table on 42 points, closely followed by stable companion Don Fanucci Zet on 37 points. With both stars from Daniel Redén's yard bypassing Cesena, the door is wide open for the chasing pack to collect vital points. The battle to qualify for the final remains fiercely contested, as only the Grand Prix de Wallonie in Mons remains on the schedule after this weekend.
With a crowd of around 15,000 spectators expected alongside celebrity ambassadors Laura Chiatti and Mariana Rodriguez, a vibrant atmosphere at Cesena is guaranteed. The raceday promises a fitting climax to the local season and a pivotal milestone in the European trotting calendar.
