Blog: Discover Italy

The results are in! Valdimontone won the August 16th, 2025 Il Palio di Siena horse race. The 9-year-old gelding Anda E Bola and 43-year-old jockey Giuseppe Zedde (also known as Gingillo) brought their contrada to victory Saturday the first time 2016. Pantera came in second. This is Valdimontone’s 45th official victory. Gingillo, who last won in 2018 for Lupa, wins his fourth. First held in 1656, The Palio di Siena, otherwise known as "Il Palio", is one of the oldest and most famous …

In the Middle Ages, Siena was partitioned into districts called contrade. Each Contrada formed a military company which was responsible for defending Siena. Originally there were 59 contrade, but today only 17 remain. Today the only battle these contrade fight is the Palio – a competitive bareback horse race that takes place on July 2 and August 16 every year in the city's main piazza - Piazza del Campo. Every person who was born or lives in Siena belongs to a Contrada. Each Contrada has …