Filippo Lago has become part of the world trotting scene

In the harness racing trotting sector, all over the world, the name of Filippo Lago is considered as an emerging young man.

He is no longer emerging; Filippo Lago, age 31, is now most certainly a large part of the international trotting scene. An interview with him was recently published in Paris Turf and his articles regarding foreign trotting are appreciated, starting with Vendopuledri.it, a true point of reference for horse racing information in Italy.

Filippo’s passion is so great. He has lived with the trotters since birth, being among other things also a breeder, which over time has led him to take on other collaborations, not only journalistic but also increasingly managerial.

In addition to having the trust of Offspring International considering the fact that many breeders in Italy turn to him to carry out crosses, Filippo also enjoys the trust of the international market.

We reached him on the phone while it was nighttime in Italy and, despite being sick with a fever that forced him to bed for a few days, we waste no time in asking him for explanations on what were his latest affairs regarding the recent Selected Sales which ended on Sunday evening.

As we greeted him, Filippo lets us know that he has just reached an important agreement that will lead him to carry out another managerial role, so we ask him: what else have you added to your package of international collaborations:

“I was contacted by the ownership of Fargo Wise AS,” Filippo said. “He is a very important horse by Walner and New Wrinkle (Cantab Hall). Fargo Wise AS is three years old and is undefeated in the two races he has contested so far, also winning the Gran Premio Anact Stake Plus. The horse has had sperm collected and some shares have been achieved. My role is to manage the European shares market of Fargo Wise AS. In this regard, I want to thank the owners of the horse for the trust placed in me, especially Mr. Felice Tiene with whom I reached an agreement.”

Two purchases bear the name of Filippo Lago from the Select Sales, two purchases that Filippo completed by doing the homework assisting some Italian clients who turned to him.

The question is therefore asked: Filippo, how do you approach auctions?

“You know Steve, I know the reality of breeding in Italy quite well so when Selected Sales publishes the catalogue,” Filippo explained. “I carefully study the horses, shares and breeding rights for sale and, subsequently, I try to find the customer who may be suitable for that product.

“It’s a job that if you want you can define as managerial,” he added. “It’s important to know how to describe a product well to a potential customer: very often a potential customer is hesitant when you propose a share or a breeding right, especially if it concerns American stallions.

“Sometimes the word spreads that some stallions seem downgraded and no longer attractive and,” Filippo said. “Perhaps, this does not coincide with the truth but more simply with the fact that for some completely different reasons which may vary from using a language rather than some dynamics relating to the difficulty of using technological tools.

“All this favours me as by dealing with foreign trotting every day for the Vendopuledri.it website,” Filippo said. “I am constantly updated especially from the point of view relating to genealogies. This explains the reason why I find this technical and at the same time managerial role very suitable for my characteristics and I feel it is very close to me.

“Sometimes the customer needs guidance,” Filippo added. “And thus, with your knowledge and skills you have to direct him to the best purchase for him.”

Let’s go back to the Selected Sales that took place on Sunday, what were you able to verify from your observation point?

“I directed two Italian customers towards two purchases,” Filippo said. “In particular, I like to focus on a 2024 Greenshoe breeding right that I had a customer purchase. I spent over an hour on Sunday afternoon to study this purchase with my client and above all to convince him: I did it, and on Sunday evening the last bid was ours.

“I watched with interest the purchase of Kennedy,” Filippo said. “Who will arrive in Italy from Alessandro Gocciadoro, a 2024 breeding right by Walner which reached €46,000, a stallion share of Face Time Bourbon whose price was €100,000 and a stallion share of Tactical Landing which recorded €90,000.

“I also liked Tactical Approach’s 2024 breeding right which reached €15,500,” Filippo added. “I personally consider Tactical Approach an excellent stallion prospect for the future.”

We thank Filippo Lago for the time he dedicated to us and, convinced that while he is still sick in bed with a fever, we discover that, even if the fever is still present in Filippo’s body, he has reached the kitchen and is already in front of the computer.

We ask him: what are you doing right now?

“I’m already working on the next auction which should take place in February.”

Filippo Lago is one tough and dedicated horseman!

by Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink