Today, the presentation of the Drappellone, created by artist Ismaele Nones and which will enrich the museum of the winning contrada, effectively opens the Palio di Siena, which will be run on July 2nd in Piazza del Campo.

An event that has long linked Tuscany and Sardinia . Many Sardinian jockeys have made history by crossing the sea in the world's most famous Palio, and many horses from the island are the ones to whom the Sienese contrada members entrust their hopes and prayers.

Winning the Palio is a lifelong dream for those belonging to each of the city's seventeen Contrade, and the ten that run it compete twice a year. It's less frequent for the many jockeys who, during the "invernate," as they're known in Siena, work on horseback and on the ground, building relationships in an attempt to secure a job for their "careers" in July and August. Among them, from rookies to multiple winners, many are still Sardinian.

On July 2nd, the districts of Onda , Civetta , Giraffa , Leocorno , Aquila , Torre , Bruco , Drago , Valdimontone , and Oca will battle it out on the tuff. There are two rival pairs: Civetta-Leocorno, and Torre-Oca.

These are the districts where jockeys are currently focusing their attention, waiting for a call to don a riding jacket. And conversely, the district leaders are increasingly busy negotiating the right man. Even though the final decision will be made with the horse in the stable.

So among the Sardinians, all eyes will inevitably be on the king of the active Palio: Giovanni Atzeni, known as "Tittia." The Sardinian-German is definitely the man to beat. Winner of eleven Palios and the latest edition of the Provenzano Palio, after the Tratta and the draw for the horses, he undoubtedly has the first choice of contrade to settle in . According to rumors, he has seven friendly contrade. First and foremost is Oca, with which he has already triumphed four times, but also open doors are on the Onda, Leocorno, Aquila, Bruco, Drago, and Giraffa. However, everything will depend on the horse drawn by lot for each contrade.

Among the ropes, there will certainly be room for Giuseppe Zedde, known as "Gingillo," originally from Noragugume and winner of the last Palio of August with Valdimontone (four in total). Beyond this contrada, he certainly has special relationships with Civetta, Torre, Giraffa, and Aquila.

One name making the rounds is Dino Pes "Velluto," the jockey from Silanus who was the surprise winner of the Palio on August 16, 2024, with Lupa. Among the big names is Carlo Sanna "Brigante" from Sindia (three Palio wins).

Among the names circulating is Andrea Sanna, "Virgola," who will debut in 2024 and has competed three times. He hails from Oliena, along with Antonio Mula, known as "Shardana," Gabriele Puligheddu, "Granito," and Marco Bitti, the latter of whom is waiting for a nickname. Giovanni Puddu (Fonni) and the young Salvatore Nieddu (Burgos) are also waiting to make their debut on the tuff . Michel Putzu, "Spago," from Teti, is also a possibility.

Already with several careers under their belts, those ready for a call-up are Sebastiano Murtas, known as "Grandine," from Santu Lussurgiu; Giosuè Carboni, known as "Carburo," from Bortigali; Andrea Coghe, known as "Tempesta," from Siena but a son of a professional athlete; Antonio Siri, known as "Amsicora," from Burgos; Francesco Caria, known as "Tremendo," from Villanovafranca; and Stefano Piras, known as "Scangeo," from Elini. Valter Pusceddu, known as "Bighino," is out of the running due to suspension.

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