For the first time, Malta will host the FEGAT World Trotting Championship, as jockeys from 12 countries will compete at the Malta Equidrome on Sunday 27th September in one of the most important international competitions for the sport. The championship will put Maltese trotting on the international stage, four years after Malta won this competition through Clifferty Calleja in Italy.
The details were announced during a press conference by the Malta Racing Club and EquestriMalta, in the presence of the Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri. The hosting of the championship is the result of years of work by the Malta Racing Club to bring this international competition to our country, together with the support of EquestriMalta and the work of the Malta Equidrome.
More than 100 horses have been registered by Maltese owners for the championship, with 96 of them expected to take part in the races. The international jockeys will come from the United States, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden, while Redent Magro will represent Malta.
Minister Camilleri said that the fact that Malta will host a championship of this level for the first time reflects the progress made in the sector and the ambition that Maltese trotting will continue to raise its standards, while being given more space on the international scene.
“This is an important moment for Maltese trotting. Malta will not only be competing, but for the first time it will be hosting a world championship on its home turf. Behind it are years of work, investment and above all many people who give their time and make sacrifices for this sport. As a Government we must build on this ambition, by continuing to improve facilities and conditions, strengthen structures and create more opportunities for Maltese trotting to continue to progress. Sunday’s championship is an important step, but the work must continue even after the competition ends,” said Minister Camilleri.
The Minister also stated that hosting international competitions creates opportunities that go beyond the racetrack. In addition to giving greater visibility to athletes and the local sector, such events contribute to sports tourism by attracting participants, delegations and visitors from different countries to Malta.
The Chairman of the Malta Racing Club, Anthony Mifsud, said that it is an honour that Malta will host this championship for the first time, after years of work to ensure that our country is selected as the host of the 2026 edition. He thanked the Maltese owners who registered their horses for the competition, as well as EquestriMalta for the support it is giving so that the championship can be held in Malta.
EquestriMalta CEO, Max Zammit said that hosting this championship is another opportunity to further strengthen trotting in Malta. He explained that EquestriMalta will continue to provide its financial and administrative support to the sector, while creating more opportunities and continuing to improve the prizes for participants as has been done in every championship that EquestriMalta has sponsored.
The Chief Executive of the Malta Equidrome, Dr Matthew Brincat thanked the horse owners who, through their participation, made it possible for an international championship of this level to be held in Malta. He invited horse racing enthusiasts to join the Malta Equidrome in Marsa, as the activity resumes after the summer break, and to give their support to the Maltese representation, in the hope that Malta will continue to achieve more honours in this sport.
Jockey Redent Magro, who will represent Malta in this championship, thanked the Malta Racing Club and the entities involved for the opportunity to represent our country. He also thanked the owners who registered their horses for the championship and for the trust they are showing in it and in the participating jockeys. Magro wished it to be a good and competitive championship, with the hope that Malta will be able to achieve another honour in this competition.
Sunday’s programme is expected to consist of eight races, which will determine the new winner of the FEGAT World Championship for amateur drivers. EquestriMalta is the main sponsor of the championship and is supporting its organisation by funding logistics, prizes, accommodation of international delegations and activities linked to the event.
Photo: MES
