“Il Palio Di Siena” is perhaps Italy's most famous annual sporting event.  "Il Palio" is all about tradition, pageantry, civic identity and the Siena pride as jockeys ride their horses in a pulsating race which lasts, on average, just over one minute - an event not for the faint hearted!

Held in honour of the Madonna dell'Assunta, the race has been taking place in the majestic Piazza del Campo since at least 1644.  Tourists flock to see this unique manifestation, which takes place twice during the year, on 2 July and 16 August.  Ten of the city's 17 "contrade" (districts) vie for the elusive prize via a horse and jockey in each race.  The districts that do not take part in the race in the previous July or August contest compete automatically, and are joined by horses from the three luck repeats “contradas”, which are drawn by lot.

Tourists are lucky to get a peep in to see this amazing event as more than 40,000 locals pack the Piazza del Campo during the four days leading to the big final event.  

This year's 16 August event was no exception to excitement.  The Malta Independent was there to capture all the "real" action through the expert lens and vision of freelance English photographer based in Wales, Simon King, who absorbed the atmosphere for four days culminating to the big race itself at the scallop-shaped piazza.

(Elias Mannucci (L) riding Solo Tue Due for Contrada “Chiocciola” goes into the final lap head-to-head with Carlo “Brigante” Sanna (C) for the 'Onda' Contrada, which eventally won the race - photo top).  Photos Simon King

"La Contrada dell'Onda" won the latest Palio edition with jockey Carlo "Brigante" Sanna riding 9-year-old horse Porto Alabe to victory.  First triumph for both the jockey and the horse at the Piazza del Campo.  

The last Palio won by the "Onda" Contrade dates way back to 16 August 2013 and this year's win takes the contrada's triumph to 41.   Chiocciola, il Montone e l'Onda went ahead from the start with the latter getting the better of first two ahead of the San Martino curve, with Valdimontone finishing third.

The majestic drapery of the Madonna dell'Assunta, works by the Anglo-American artist Sinta Tantra was dedicated to the Bicentennial birth of Giovanni Dupre', who appropriately belonged to the "Onda" contrade.

Flag bearers for the “Selva” Contrada put on a display for the crowds at the Piazza del Campo during the Corteo Storicio (Historical Pageant). Photo Simon King

Simon King also expressed his views about his experience during this amazing event.

"During this August Palio I had the privilege of spending time with the Selva Contrada.  I was privileged to witness the horse preparation before the trials, captains' dinner and benediction of the horse and jockey (fantino).  The people of Selva were incredibly friendly.  It was an experience no other to accompany them from the stables to the Piazzo del Campo for the trials.  It is very rare in this day and age to see such a sense of community and passion"