Aquila triumphs in the Palio of July 3, 2026

The Contrada dell’Aquila, with Giovanni Atzeni, better known as Tittia, on Diodoro, won the Palio di Siena on July 3, 2026. This race, dedicated to the Madonna di Provenzano, took place on Friday, July 3, following the postponement the previous day due to bad weather.

The order between the ropes: Oca, Bruco, Leocorno, Torre, Civetta, Drago, Aquila, Giraffa, Valdimontone, and Onda di Rincorsa.

With the horses calm between the ropes, starter Renato Bircolotti leads the Contrade out. At the second lineup, Bircolotti again orders them to leave the ropes, because Torre is not getting into position and Oca is not taking the lead. This situation repeats itself at the third lineup, where Torre receives a warning and Leocorno is pushed back.

Fourth starting lineup, much confusion between the ropes, and once again everyone has to go out. On the fifth starting grid, Onda finally comes into action, and Aquila, Civetta, Bruco, Leocorno, and Valdimontone get off to a great start. Aquila leads in San Martino, followed by Civetta and Valdimontone; Torre falls.

In the second lap, Aquila leads ahead of Civetta and Valdimontone, while Giraffa falls in the Casato. Aquila is no longer in danger and wins the Palio.

After the race, the inhabitants of L’Aquila marched triumphantly with horse and jockey to the Church of Santa Maria in Provenzano to honor the Madonna of Provenzano. L’Aquila’s last victory dates back to July 3, 1992, with jockey Andrea Degortes, better known as Aceto, and the horse Galleggiante. Jockey Giovanni Atzeni, better known as Tittia, born in Nagold (Germany) on April 13, 1985, has achieved his twelfth victory (out of a total of 42 Palios) following his win in the Oca on July 3, 2025, once again with Diodoro. Diodoro, a seven-year-old bay gelding, has his second victory in three Palios to his name. The captain of the Aquila is Duccio Carapelli; the board members are Tommaso Mandriani, Dario Caro, and Pierluigi Vannini. The Prior is Gabriele Fattorini and the Barbaresco is Leonardo Bianciardi.

The Drago jockey, Diego Minucci, was taken to the emergency room of the Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital in Siena in a minor condition. The horse Entu de Petra Ulpu, which was quickly rescued by the Siena City Animal Ambulance, was transported to the Ceppo Veterinary Clinic (in Monteresi) for examination. The remaining horses all returned safely to their respective stables.