15/03/2023

The investigation began in 2015 and involved jockey-breeder Luigi Bruschelli, known as Trecciolino, 13 times winner of the Palio di Siena, and vet Mauro Benedetti.

They had both been convicted at first instance of forgery of public deeds, for falsifying the passports of some thoroughbred horses (not allowed to run the Palio of Siena) and passing them off as half-breeds. The charge was also microchip swapping: according to the Public Prosecutor's Office of Siena, thoroughbred Captain Forest had been implanted with the microchip of another horse, Romantico Baio. The latter died during training in April 2015 in unclear circumstances and from there the investigations took on a new impetus, with a raid by the forest rangers at the Pian delle Fornaci course and at Valiano, at Bruschelli's stable.

Crimes of animal abuse (for the administration of drugs and prohibited substances) and the illegal import of drugs, in particular anabolic drugs, were also alleged.

In yesterday's appeal proceedings Bruschelli was acquitted of some of the 14 charges of forgery of public deeds, while the others were converted to falsehood.  Instead, he was sentenced to seven months for mistreatment (with suspended sentence) for administering prohibited drugs to two horses.

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