from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Marcello Ducci, 84, international bloodstock agent, died Jan. 5, 2015, in his home city of Florence, Italy.

Mr. Ducci was a fixture in trotting on both sides of the Atlantic for decades, as he arranged the purchase and transport of hundreds of trotters, and was instrumental in exporting semen of United States horses to Italy and other parts of Europe.

Mr. Ducci was a professional soccer player in his youth and lived and worked in the United States for about 20 years, operating a restaurant in Pittsburgh, where he befriended the Rooney family, owners of Yonkers Raceway.

He arranged all the racing logistics and travel arrangements for Moni Maker’s multi-year campaign throughout Europe.

“He took care of everything,” said Frank M. Antonacci, whose family co-owned Moni Maker. “He was very proud of the job he did. He was gregarious and extremely well-liked. There are probably countless horsemen in this country he’s taken care of, not just their horses, but things like helping their kids studying abroad.”

Mr. Ducci was a fan of all of harness racing and was a partner on Moni Maker and UConn Don.

His closest friends in the United States included the Antonacci and Rooney families, George Segal, David Reid and the late Geoff Stein.

He is survived by his wife, Franca; four daughters; and grandchildren.