Sicily’s Illegal Horse Race with Guns Shocks Malta
Guns and Gallops: Sicily’s Illegal Horse Race Shocks Malta’s Sister Island
Picture this: a dusty Sicilian track, under the Mediterranean sun, where horses aren’t the only thing galloping. A video, leaked and now viral, shows a scene straight out of the Wild West – riders urging their mounts on, while men in the crowd brandish guns, firing into the air. This isn’t a scene from a movie, but a real-life incident that’s left Malta’s sister island reeling.
From Malta’s Streets to Sicily’s Tracks
Malta’s close ties with Sicily mean news like this doesn’t stay confined to the Italian island. The video, circulating on Maltese social media, shows an illegal horse race in the Sicilian town of Gela. The event, held on a makeshift track, was disrupted when men in the crowd started firing guns. No one was injured, but the incident has through both islands.
Malta’s horse racing community is tight-knit, with many Maltese enthusiasts crossing the sea to participate in Sicilian races. The illegal event in Gela has left them stunned. “This isn’t what our sport is about,” says Malta-based jockey, Joe Xuereb. “We’re all about the horses, not the guns.”
Sicily’s Crackdown
Sicilian police are treating the incident seriously. They’re probing the event, with reports suggesting they’re looking into potential links to organized crime. Gela, like many Sicilian towns, has struggled with mafia influence. The illegal race, held without proper permits or safety measures, is seen as a clear sign of lawlessness.
Malta’s Racing Authority is watching the situation closely. “We’re in touch with our Sicilian counterparts,” says a spokesperson. “We’re making sure our Maltese participants are safe and that this kind of incident doesn’t happen here.”
Back in Sicily, police are urging anyone with information about the race to come forward. They’re also warning would-be participants of future illegal events: “We won’t tolerate this kind of behavior. If you’re planning an illegal race, we’ll be there.”
