Guns and Gallops: Sicily’s Illegal Horse Race Raises Eyebrows in Malta

Imagine this: the sun dips low over the Sicilian countryside, casting long shadows over a makeshift racetrack. The air is thick with dust and tension. Horses, foam flecking their necks, strain against their riders’ reins. But this isn’t your typical horse race. Guns glint menacingly in the sunlight, held by spectators who seem more interested in their weapons than the race itself. Welcome to the latest twist in Sicily’s illegal horse racing scene, now drawing the attention of Maltese authorities.

Racing into Trouble

Video footage, circulating widely on Maltese social media, shows a recent race in Sicily’s rural heartland. The clip, shot from a moving car, captures the surreal spectacle: horses racing flat out, their riders hunched low, while armed men line the track. The video’s provenance is unclear, but it’s sparked outrage and concern among Maltese horse lovers and officials alike.

“This isn’t just about animal welfare,” says Malta’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Health and Food, Anton Refalo. “It’s about public safety. We’re talking about firearms being brandished in a crowded, chaotic environment. It’s a recipe for disaster.”

Malta’s Stake in the Game

Malta’s interest in Sicily’s horse racing scene isn’t just about keeping tabs on our neighbour’s shenanigans. Malta’s own horse racing industry, centered around the Marsa Racetrack, has long been a source of local pride and entertainment. But it’s also faced its own share of controversy, with allegations of doping and corruption casting a shadow over the sport.

Malta Racing Club’s CEO, Vincent Galea, is quick to distance Malta’s racing scene from Sicily’s illegal activities. “We have strict rules and regulations here,” he says. “Safety is our top priority, both for the horses and the spectators. What’s happening in Sicily is completely unacceptable.”

Looking North: Malta’s Role

Malta’s proximity to Sicily means we’re not just passive observers. Our islands are connected by more than just the Mediterranean; there’s a constant flow of people, goods, and information between us. That includes news of illegal activities, like this horse race.

Malta’s police are working with their Sicilian counterparts to investigate the race. “We take any threat to public safety seriously,” says a spokesperson for the Malta Police Force. “If there’s a link to Malta, we’ll pursue it.”

Meanwhile, Malta’s animal welfare groups are calling for stronger ties with Sicily to combat animal cruelty. “We need to work together to protect these animals,” says Claire Borg, spokesperson for Animal Liberation Malta. “If that means collaborating with Sicilian animal welfare groups, then so be it.”

As the sun sets on another day in Malta, the image of that dusty Sicilian track lingers. It’s a stark reminder that, even in the heart of rural Sicily, the shadow of crime can fall. And Malta, just a stone’s throw away, can’t afford to look the other way.