3 minute read

This is the second of the two "Palio"s run in Siena every year.

It's known as the "Palio dell'Assunta" or Palio of the Asumption.  Each race includes 10 runners from the 17 "contrade" or wards of the city with the 7 who do not run being the first in the next edition.

The riders – mostly from Sardinia – ride bareback and are given a whip as they leave to go out on the track (10 cms of special soil packed down over the cobble stones) with which they are allowed to hit their fellow jockeys as well as the horses.  While there is an established order for the start, the horses don't often stay where put and go out of line and try to find a spot from which they can get a flying start, so there are often several false starts.

This year the weather hasn't been very helpful although the forecast for Tuesday isn't too bad but rain caused the cancellation of one of the trial days.

It is a bit of Russian roulette trying to pick a winner but for the record two horses have won the race already – Remorex, drawn by the Tartuca contrada who has one it twice and Zio Frac, drawn by the Nicchio contrada who has one win to his name.  His jockey, Scangeo has won twice.  Most of the horses have already raced and have passed the very thorough vet exams to return and have another go.

The race goes 3 times round the Piazza del Campo in the centre of Siena and the distance is roughly 1000m, depending on how near or far you are to the inside.

Before the race there is a cavalry charge by the mounted police brandishing swords which is terrifying if you are standing close to the barrier! 

The horses are taken into the Parish church for each of the Contradas to be blesses by the priest "Go and return victorious" and any contributions the horse may make are considered very lucky.