Page 5 - Italian-American Herald - August 2024

TRADITIONS
first crosses the finish line with the symbol of its contrada. Surprisingly the horse can be declared the winner even if the jockey is not on the horse.
While the majority of horse races must adhere to specific standards and regulations the Palio can be a perilous race for both horses and riders. Much of the danger stems from a lack of standard rules for the race. A major part of the race is for the competing contrade to prevent rivals from winning. Districts are known to form alliances and this of course forms rivals who will try anything to cost the opponent’s victory.
When a contrada fails to win, its historical enemy will celebrate that fact almost as much as their own victory. Few things are forbidden to the jockeys during the race; they can pull or shove their fellow riders, hit the horses and each other, or try to hamper other horses at the start.
Viewers who are willing to pay 250 Euros and up can take all this in from stands set up around the racetrack or from the houses around the square. Spots that are standing- room-only are free, but visitors should be prepared to arrive hours early to get a better view. This is especially true for those who want a prime spot next to the racetrack.
The prize for the winner is il palio, a
banner which is hand-painted by a different artist for each race. It is affectionately called the cencio (the rag) or drappellone and is held vertically on a black-and-white shaft halberd with a silver plate on top and two white and black plumes flowing down the sides. The award is given promptly after the race finishes and is followed by celebrations which go on for months for the victorious winning district. The prize remains in the possession of the winning “team” but is returned to the city the following year after the date and name of the winner are inscribed on the back.
The most successful district is Oca, the Goose, which has won 64 races according
to records first noted in 1644. Oca is followed by Chiocciola, the Snail, with 51, and Tartuca, the Tortoise, with 46. Oca also has the most recent wins with 21 victories between 1900 to 2010. Just behind them are the contrade of Selva, the Forest, with 18, and Drago, the Dragon, with 17.
The most feted fantina of all time is Andrea Degortes, also known as Aceto (vinegar) with fourteen wins from 1964 to 1996. Coming in second is Angelo (Picino) Meloni with 13 wins and Luigi (Trecciolino) Bruschelli is in third place with 12 wins. Bruschelli actually claimed he won 13 races because his horse won during what would
The Palio as depicted in 1913. | WIKIMEDIA
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