Sicily’s Illegal Horse Race Raises Eyebrows in Malta

Imagine this: a dusty Sicilian track, under the Mediterranean sun. Horses thunder past, their hooves kicking up a cloud of dust. But this isn’t your typical race. Armed police officers line the route, not to ensure safety, but to turn a blind eye to an illegal spectacle. Welcome to the world of clandestine horse racing in Sicily, a story that’s got Maltese authorities sitting up and taking notice.

Footage obtained by Italian news outlet Fanpage shows a recent race in Sicily’s rural interior. Horses, some with riders, others pulling carts, gallop along a makeshift track. The twist? Armed police stand by, allowing the illegal event to unfold. The race, known locally as a carretti race, is a traditional Sicilian event, but it’s usually held in controlled environments, not on public roads.

In the video, you can see officers in civilian clothes, some with machine guns slung over their shoulders. They’re not there to stop the race, but to ensure it goes smoothly. This isn’t the first time such races have been exposed, but it’s the first time they’ve been caught on camera with such brazen police involvement.

So, what’s Malta got to do with all this? Well, for starters, we’re talking about a similar cultural event happening just a stone’s throw away. Malta’s own carretti races, held in towns like Żurrieq and Qrendi, are a beloved part of local culture. But they’re also a potential target for similar illegal activities.

the involvement of armed police in Sicily raises questions about the potential for corruption and organized crime. Malta, too, has its share of such issues, and any spillover from Sicily could have local implications. It’s a reminder that our little island isn’t immune to the bigger issues happening just across the sea.

Malta’s Police Force has been quick to distance itself from the Sicilian incident. “Our police officers are committed to upholding the law and would never be involved in such activities,” a spokesperson told Hot Malta. They also assured that they’re monitoring the situation and working with Italian authorities to ensure no such activities take root in Malta.

As the dust settles on the Sicilian track, eyes turn to what happens next. Italian authorities have launched an investigation, with some officers already under scrutiny. Meanwhile, Maltese authorities are on high alert, ready to pounce on any signs of trouble.

“We’re not going to wait for something to happen before we act,” said a source within the Malta Police Force. “We’re proactive, not reactive. We’re watching, and we’re ready.”

For now, Malta’s carretti races continue, a vibrant part of our cultural tapestry. But with the Sicily incident fresh in mind, there’s a new sense of vigilance. After all, as they say in Malta, “Għandha ħinħu jħalluħu” – “What happens elsewhere can happen here too.”