Torrita di Siena, the district of Refenero wins the Palio dei Somari
(Adnkronos) – Historic victory of the district of Refenero which after seven years returns to win thirty the Palio dei Somari of Torrita di Siena, winning the 65th edition and the drape painted by Salvatore Ferrante ‘Soterus’.
The biancoceleste contrada first beat Porta Nova in the qualifying battery and then won the victory after a final in which the donkey Fragola, with Alessio Deriu called ‘Pampero’ in the saddle, dominated the other four contrade in an indisputable way, reaching the final: Station, Le Fonti, Porta a Sole and Cavone.
The drape of the 65th edition of the Palio dei Somari was then delivered into the hands of the president of Refenero Michele Battenti visibly moved, amid the irrepressible joy of the contradaioli, many of whom have seen their contrada win for the first time.
Race report – In the four qualifying heats, in addition to Refenero’s victory over Porta Nova, the Stazione district had beaten Porta Gavina, Le Fonti had won against Cavone and Porta Sole had beaten Porta a Pago. On the other hand, Cavone had triumphed in the recovery battery and thus regained access to the final. However, the effort of the other four finalists was worth nothing, since Fragola and Pampero jumped in the lead from the beginning and maintained control of the race during all four laps of the race, until the moment of the triumph that saw explode the joy of all the contradaioli.
During the day, the prizes of the Sfoggiato, the best historical parade, went to the couple in the Stazione district and to the best drummer and flag-wavers who competed on the evening of Saturday 28 May in Piazza Matteotti. The district of Porta a Pago with Gaetano Ranaldo and Gabriele Risani won the prize for best drummers, while the prize for best flag-wavers went to the district of Refenero with Giammarco Goti and Giacomo Bracciali.
Thus ends a historic edition of the Palio dei Somari, both because it was held exceptionally in May to cope with the end of the health emergency, and because of the extraordinary victory of the Refenero district, which had been waiting for such a special moment for thirty-seven years. .