WINNER OF THE JULY PALIO 2014 AND PARTICIPATING CONTRADE IN AUGUST RACE

You'll be hearing a lot of singing this summer from the neighborhood of the dragon (contrada del drago), which won the July Palio 2014. It was a clear victory with the horse Oppio guided by jockey Salasso dominating the race after overtaking the leading Aquila and runner up Pantera and Selva early on. Contrada del drago will celebrate 37 dinners this summer, one each for every victory (the first verified one dating back to 1650).  

10 out of Siena's 17 contrade still have a chance to win a title this year. Set to participate on the 16th of August 2014 are: Drago (dragon), Giraffa (giraffe), Pantera (pantheress), Civetta (owl), Valdimontone (ram), Leocorno (unicorn), Aquila (eagle), Bruco (caterpillar), Chiocciola (snail) and Selva (forest). 

In 2014 four contrade won't have participated in neither of the two Palio: Nicchio (Shell), Torre (tower) and Oca (goose) haven't been drawn whilst Istrice (porcupine) would have had the right to participate in the August Palio, but has been disqualified as a result of the assault of a small group of its members on the jockey of their enemy contrada (la Lupa) after the race on July 2, 2013. 





Coming out for the race? For more insight into its centuries old history, intricate rules and neighborhood animosities read What is the Palio di Siena?