02/07/2026

The prestigious British tabloid The Sun has cited IHP as its primary source for its recent investigation into the phenomenon of the so-called Italian ‘zoomafia’.

This international attention confirms the urgency of tackling the critical issues our association works to address on a daily basis: the lack of proper traceability of horses, criminal exploitation and the inadequacy of the current system of penalties.

During the interview, IHP’s president, Sonny Richichi, outlined the grim reality behind illegal horse racing, including unauthorised stables, abuse of all kinds and the administration of performance-enhancing drugs and even cocaine.

The most critical aspects of the phenomenon have been highlighted:

- Impunity, as the current penalties and sanctions do not deter criminals. As Richichi told the British newspaper, it is almost impossible for clan members to end up behind bars, and just a few days after a raid, they start all over again without any trouble.

- The media spectacle surrounding criminal activity, involving high-speed chases in broad daylight on public roads and videos posted on social media. This culminated in the emblematic case of an illegal racecourse built in north-western Sicily, which had even been advertised on Facebook.

This recognition from the foreign press demonstrates that the work carried out by IHP to highlight issues and put forward proposals now has an impact that extends beyond national borders. These issues reinforce the credibility of our work and the need for urgent legislative and regulatory action within Italian institutions.

Read the full article on The Sun’s official website