Derby Oggi

The Ultimate Guide to Derby Oggi: Everything You Need to Know

What is Derby Oggi?

Derby Oggi is a traditional Italian horse race held annually in Siena, Italy. It is one of the oldest and most famous horse races in the world, dating back to the 13th century.

The race is run on a dirt track around the Piazza del Campo, the main square of Siena. The track is just over 1,000 meters long and has a steep incline. The race is run in two heats, with the top three finishers in each heat advancing to the final.

The winning horse is awarded the Palio, a large banner that is painted with the symbol of the winning contrada (neighborhood). The Palio is then hung in the Church of Santa Maria di Provenzano.

The History of Derby Oggi

The first Derby Oggi was held in 1238. The race was originally run to celebrate the victory of the Sienese over the Florentines in the Battle of Montaperti.

Over the centuries, the Derby Oggi has become one of the most important events in Siena. The race is a major tourist attraction, and it is also a source of great pride for the people of Siena.

The Contrada

The Derby Oggi is a very important event for the people of Siena. The race is divided into 17 different contrade, which are neighborhoods in Siena.

Each contrada has its own colors, symbol, and flag. The contrade also have their own churches, museums, and social clubs.

The contrade are very competitive, and they all want to win the Derby Oggi. The winning contrada is awarded the Palio, a large banner that is painted with the symbol of the winning contrada.

The Race

The Derby Oggi is a very exciting race. The horses are ridden by jockeys who are known as fantini.

The race is run in two heats, with the top three finishers in each heat advancing to the final. The final is run on the same day as the heats.

The race is very dangerous, and there have been many accidents over the years. However, the race is still very popular, and it is one of the most important events in Siena.

The Palio

The Palio is the prize that is awarded to the winning horse in the Derby Oggi. The Palio is a large banner that is painted with the symbol of the winning contrada.

The Palio is a very important symbol for the people of Siena. It is a sign of victory and pride.

The Palio is hung in the Church of Santa Maria di Provenzano after the race. It is a reminder of the victory of the winning contrada and a source of pride for the people of Siena.