The Palios of 2025

In 5 months we will be in full swing towards the first Palio of 2025. As always, it promises to be an exciting Palio year.

CONTRADE

Due to the disqualifications of Aquila, Nicchio and Torre, no fewer than 5 contrade will be drawn in July. The chances of participating will therefore be drastically increased. Tartuca, Chiocciola, Drago, Selva and Istrice will definitely participate, from the nine others who have a chance, 5 contrade will be drawn, as mentioned.

A similar scenario will occur in August, Torre will serve his last disqualification, which will result in 4 contrade being drawn. Pantera, Tartuca, Drago, Bruco, Giraffa and Aquila will definitely participate.

FANTINI

As for the fantini, we will not see Federico Guglielmi, known as Tamurè, in 2025. Dino Pes detto Velluto, winner in August, will not be seen in July due to suspension. Giosue Carboni (Carburo) returns after a year of suspension and will have a chance to be there due to suspension of the above. Valter Pusceddu detto Bighino, who will serve his 5th and final exclusion in July, should have a chance to be there again in August. Whether the captains will give him another chance remains to be seen.

CAVALLI

As for the horses, we obviously still have to wait and see who will be registered and who will not be rejected at the Previsite. We will make an overview of horses that have run at least one Palio and take the horses that were registered in the Albo last year as a reference.
We will start with the two winners of last year: Tabacco will no longer be there, the chestnut horse of Antonio Siri that won the Palio di Provenzano for Onda will retire after 8 participations. Benitos, winner of the Palio in August for Lupa, will undoubtedly be one of the dream horses of the contradaioli in 2025. Without a big surprise, it is unlikely that we will see Remorex, who turns 15 this year, again. Among the winning horses of the Palio are also Tale e Quale (won 1 Palio) and Zio Frac (won 2 Palios). Both did not participate in the Palios last year for various reasons. We hope to see them both again in the lot of 10 but we must also remember that Tale e Quale is 13 years old this year and Zio Frac 10.

Among the horses that were entered last year, we see a lot of horses that have run at least one Palio. They will be the basis of the captains when choosing the lot. This group consists (unless otherwise stated): Akida (9 years old, 1 Palio), Anda and Bola (9 years old, 2 Palios), Ares Elce (9 years old, 2 Palios), Ardeglina (9 years old, 1 Palio), Brivido Sardo (8 years old, 2 Palios), Canarinu (7 years old, 1 Palio), Comancio (7 years old, 1 Palio) Criptha (7 years old, 1 Palio) Tornada (13 years old, 1 Palio), Ungaros (12 years old, 2 Palios), Veranu (11 years old, 2 Palios), Viso d’Angelo (11 years old, 6 Palios), Vitzichesu (11 years old, 2 Palios), Volpino (11 years old, 1 Palio not participated), Zenis (10 years old, 2 Palios), Zenios (10 years old, 1 Palio) and Zentiles (10 years, 1 Palio). Among these horses are some that have been talked about a lot in recent years, such as Anda, Bola and Ares Elce. They are certainly horses that can guarantee the captains an experienced fate.

As for the new horses, it is still unclear for the time being. Last year we saw a number of interesting horses, but we must wait and see how these horses develop further. The races on the Monticiano circuit will be a first indicator.

SOME FACTS

The drappellone for the Palio in July will certainly be painted by a Sienese artist. A competition was organised for this purpose, the results of which will be known soon.

Let the Palio-year start quickly!