Pro Tip: Get a table in the Campo and enjoy a spritz as the 10 competing Contrade enter the Piazza! The night before, a person will have been chosen by their Contrada to “get” the horse. They will dress in their colours and be escorted to the front of the Palazzo Pubblico, where, one by one, the Contrade will be assigned their horse by lot. You will understand if the contradaioli are happy or not by their reaction! Now have another spritz, because the Palio has officially begun!
Next step: the jockey will be hired. The first trial race is this evening at 19.30! This is NOT a qualifying trial, but rather 1 of 6 opportunities for the jockey to get to know the horse. If the Captain of the Contrada feels that the jockey is not the right fit for the horse or for this Palio’s strategies, they can hire a new one. The jockey choice is only finalized after the 6th trial on the morning of the 2nd.
Palio Dates and Times to Know:
• Night Trials (le Prove di Notte): 28 June (5.30-7.30)
• Selection Trials (le Batterie): 29 June (7.00)
• Assignment of the Horses (Assegnazione dei Cavalli): 29 June (ca. 12.00)
• 1st Trial (Prima Prova): 29 June (19.45)
• 2nd Trial (Seconda Prova): 30 June (9.00)
• 3rd Trial (Terza Prova): 30 June (19.45)
• 4th Trial (Quarta Prova): 1 July (9.00)
• 5th Trial (Prova Generale): 1 July (19.45)
• Mass for the Jockeys (Messa del Fantino): 2 July (7.45)
• 6th Trial (la Provaccia): 2 July (9.00)
• Blessing of the Horse (Benedizione del Cavallo): 2 July (15.00)
• Historical Procession (Corteo Storico)leaves from each Contrada (going to Duomo then Campo)
• Piazza del Campo closes: 2 July (18.15)
• Palio - si corre! 2 July (19.30)
