Palio di Siena

July 2026

Palio di SIena, July 2026

The Palio di Siena delivered another dramatic chapter in its centuries-old history. The July 2026 race, originally scheduled for 2 July, was postponed to 3 July after heavy rain left the tuff track in Piazza del Campo unsafe—a rare but increasingly familiar occurrence in recent years.

The winning Contrada was Aquila (the Eagle),

ending its wait for Palio glory with an authoritative performance. Veteran jockey Giovanni Atzeni (“Tittia”), the most successful active rider in the sport, guided the horse Diodoro to victory after a tense and tactical start. The pair quickly established themselves at the front and controlled the race over the three laps of the Piazza del Campo, crossing the finish line ahead of the chasing pack.

As always, the build-up proved almost as dramatic as the 90-second race itself. The lineup at the mossa (starting line) involved prolonged tactical maneuvering, with jockeys seeking advantageous positions and attempting to frustrate rivals before the starter finally released the field. Once underway, the race featured the characteristic close-quarter jostling and high-speed cornering that make the Palio one of the world’s most unique sporting events.

For Aquila, the victory sparked the traditional celebrations that define the Palio: jubilant scenes in the streets of the Contrada, the triumphant procession with the Drappellone (the painted banner awarded to the winners), and festivities that continued long into the night.

Team, 15/07/2026 10:10:43

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