An accident involving third flag Andrea Mureddu, fortunately without consequences, did not disrupt the Ardia 2026 trials.

A week after the great celebration of San Costantino, everyone's hearts began to beat faster this evening, when the first exciting act of the dress rehearsal for the race on 6 and 7 July took place on the slope of su Frontigheddu .

The sun was still high when, shortly before 7.30pm, Danilo Pes , the first flag, exchanged a last knowing glance with the second flag Matteo Falchi and the third Andrea Mureddu .

A quick, almost imperceptible gesture, but enough to start the descent towards the Arch of San Costantino, the most anticipated moment of the test run preceding the actual race. A clean and orderly descent to the applause of the large crowd who, despite the heat and the weekday, provided the backdrop for a truly significant event.

The three flags tested the terrain and the horses, verifying that every detail was in place, even if the atmosphere on the evening of the Ardia was very different, full of tension, faith, and adrenaline.

After entering the natural amphitheater and the rapid climb towards the sanctuary, the flags circled the church a few times before hurling themselves back down to Sa Muredda.

This is where the third flag crashed, landing him on the ground. He was immediately treated, and after a quick medical check, he resumed his training. Race leader Pes tested the chestnut horse Tenace, expressing satisfaction: "In the next few days, we'll try to refine some more details."

Positive feedback also came from second-place finisher Falchi, astride the 7-year-old chestnut Chirilla, and third-place finisher Mureddu, who tested his bay Deodorada. Now the days of anticipation and final preparations begin, as the community prepares to celebrate its most iconic celebration.

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