Two Rival Jockeys Fell and San Martino San Rocco Won the Palio di Asti for the First Time in Fourteen Years
Dino 'Velluto' Pes rode Excalibur to victory for San Martino San Rocco in the 751st Palio di Asti, the district's first win since 2012.
The Palio di Asti is a bareback horse race run in Piazza Alfieri in Asti, Piedmont, between the town's districts, known as rioni and borghi, and neighbouring comuni. The first certain record of the race dates from 1275, and since 2018 it has been held on the first Sunday of September. The palio is run in three heats followed by a final.
The 751st edition was held on 6 September. The finalists were San Pietro, Cattedrale, San Lazzaro, San Silvestro, Torretta, Castell'Alfero, San Martino San Rocco, Baldichieri and Tanaro, but Castell'Alfero did not run in the final after being excluded by the veterinary commission.
After two false starts, the starter, Andrea Calamassi, allowed the third. San Lazzaro led for the first two laps before being overtaken, and the jockeys of San Pietro and Tanaro fell. Dino Pes, known as Velluto, took advantage on Excalibur to win for San Martino San Rocco.
It was the district's first victory since 2012, when Maurizio Farnetani, known as Bucefalo, rode the winner. Pes had previously won the Palio in 2019 for Cattedrale.
The drappo, the painted banner that goes to the winner, was created this year by Marco Aru. By tradition the lesser prizes include silver coins for second place, silver spurs for third and an anchovy for the last-placed finisher.
The next edition is due on the first Sunday of September 2027.