We start again from the June triumph of Giovanni Atzeni known as Tittia, who entered the legend with his tenth victory at the Palio di Siena, fifth in a row, a goal that no one had managed to reach before him.

Today the Palio dell'Assunta is being held and Sardinia, as always, is the great protagonist, with seven jockeys and ten horses bred on the island vying for victory.

The names

Giovanni Atzeni di Nurri, known as Tittia , needs no introduction: 37 races run, 10 victories, the last five consecutive. Mount Abbasantesa and run for the Giraffe.

Carlo Sanna di Sindia, known as Brigante, mounts Zio Frac and runs for the goose: 34 years old, boasts 15 participations and a victory at the Palio.

Andrea Coghe known as Tempesta mounts Vitzichesu and runs for the Dragon. He is 34 years old and in Siena boasts one victory out of 7 races run. Son of art, his father Massimino is another champion of the Palio. He dominated the trials, winning them all.

Giuseppe Zedde di Noragugume, known as Gingillo , mounts Reo Confesso and runs through the Chiocciola district: son of art (his father Antonio won the Palio twice), he is 40 years old and in Siena can count on 3 victories and 31 races.

Sebastiano Murtas of Santu Lussurgiu known as Grandine on Schietta in Tartuca: he is 33 years old and has 11 races to his credit, no wins

Valter Pusceddu known as Bighino on Viso D'Angelo in L'Aquila: born in Genoa but of clear Sardinian origins, he ran 27 poles without ever winning. He hasn't raced in Siena for 5 years.

Giosuè Carboni of Nuoro known as Carburo su Tabacco nella Torre: he participated in 7 Pali, he never won.

The others are Jonathan Bartoletti known as Scompiglio who rides for the Pantera on Anda and Bola; Federico Guglielmi known as Tamurè on Antine Day in the Istrice and Enrico Bruschelli known as Bellocchio who runs on Zenis for the Bruco.

Giovanni Porcella, veterinarian of the magistrate of the districts is also Sardinian: he gives the final opinion to let the horse run if it has problems reported by the vets after the assignment of the districts. A very delicate task.

In short, the hunt for Tittia is on. At 7 pm the horses will leave the Cortile del Podestà of the Palazzo Pubblico to start the race. As with the Palio on 2 July, the traditional Sienese event will be broadcast live on La7 on television and online.

(Unioneonline/L)

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