TAR Lazio rejects Hippogroup appeal over 2025 racing calendar

The Lazio Regional Administrative Court (TAR) has rejected an appeal filed by Hippogroup Cesenate Spa regarding the 2025 national horse racing calendar. The calendar was established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry.

Hippogroup, which manages the Bologna and Cesena trot racetracks, contested the reduction of racing days assigned to the Arcoveggio racetrack in Bologna and the failure to restore the previously scheduled number of days for Cesena. The company argued that the distribution of racing days was illogical and inconsistent with the Ministry’s new classification system, which ranked Bologna third and Cesena ninth nationally. Hippogroup claimed the decision violated principles of administrative reasonableness and exceeded official powers. However, the court found the grievances unfounded, noting that the racing calendar is a general administrative act.