Federico Tesio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Federico Tesio
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Tesio in 1921
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| Born | 17 January 1869 |
| Died | 1 May 1954 (aged 85) |
| Occupation | Farmer, Racehorse breeder, owner and trainer. |
Federico Tesio (born January 17, 1869 – died May 1, 1954) was a very famous Italian expert in raising special horses called Thoroughbreds for horse racing. Many people say he was the best horse breeder ever. He is known as "the greatest person in Italian racing history."
Contents
Early Life and Career
Federico Tesio was born in Turin, Italy. He lost his parents when he was only six years old. He later studied at the University of Florence.
Tesio served in the Italian Army during World War I. This was a major global conflict. Later in 1939, he became a member of the Italian Senate. This is like being a senator in the government.
Building a Horse Empire
In 1898, Federico Tesio and his wife, Lydia, bought a farm. It was originally a farm for silkworms. They removed the mulberry trees that silkworms eat. Then, they built a special place for horses.
This place was called Dormello Stud. It was located in Dormelletto, near Lake Maggiore in northern Italy. This farm became the main home for their mares (female horses) and stallions (male horses).
Over time, Tesio's horse farms grew very large. He set up many different farms. Each farm had a special purpose. Some were for pregnant mares. Others were for young horses, called yearlings. There was even a large dirt track for training racehorses.
Tesio's Breeding Success
Federico Tesio was known for his amazing skill in breeding horses. His wife, Lydia, also played a big part. She helped with the business side. She also kept all the important records until 1942.
Tesio not only bred horses, but he also owned and trained them. His horses became famous around the world. They influenced how Thoroughbreds are bred everywhere.
He bred many champion horses. Some of his most famous horses include Nearco and Ribot. He also bred Cavaliere d’Arpino, who he thought was his best horse. Cavaliere d'Arpino's grandson was Ribot, who won the important Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe race twice. Nearco also became a very important father horse, siring Nearctic, who then sired Northern Dancer.
Another famous horse was Donatello II. He won the Prix du Jockey Club. Tesio bred, owned, and trained 22 winners of the Derby Italiano. This shows how successful he was in Italian racing.
Legacy and Recognition
Federico Tesio wrote a book about his ideas on horse breeding. It was first published in 1947 in Italian. Later, it was translated into English. The English version is called Tesio: In His Own Words.
Several horse races are named in his honor. The Federico Tesio Stakes is held in Maryland, USA. The Premio Federico Tesio is in Milan, Italy. There is also the Tesio Stakes in Australia. His wife, Lydia, also has a race named after her, the Premio Lydia Tesio in Rome.
Federico Tesio passed away in 1954. This was just before his horse, Ribot, became a racing superstar. Ribot is often called Tesio's "masterpiece." Years after his death, Tesio was recognized as one of the most important people in 20th-century racing.
