Xuenou > Sports > Horse race ‘Palio di Siena’ is more dangerous than Grand National and has nags collapsing
Horse race ‘Palio di Siena’ is more dangerous than Grand National and has nags collapsing
Horse race 'Palio di Siena' is more dangerous than Grand National and has nags collapsing,WARNING, CONTAINS DISTRESSING SCENES: The Italian horse race that takes place in the middle of an Italian city has been slammed for its brutality

Horse race ‘Palio di Siena’ is more dangerous than Grand National and has nags collapsing

A brutal horse race more dangerous than the Grand National still takes place twice a year on the streets of an Italian city.

The Palio di Siena event is held twice a year, with the latest instalment taking place earlier this month. Each race sees 10 horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, representing Siena's city wards.

They hare around a narrow dirt track with the course lined by walls and spectators. Races are over three laps and last just 90 seconds. However, that is ample time for chaotic scenes which would leave animal rights activists outraged.

Footage of the hair-raising race has been shared on social media – and it isn’t for the faint-hearted. At one point, during a sharp right-head turn, a horse collides with a wall and unseats its rider as the pack steams by at dangerously close quarters. Other horses were seen hitting the floor and remaining motionless.

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Before the end of the race, with several rider-less horses among those still circulating, dozens of spectators flooded onto the track. Unlike traditional racing, a horse is not required to have a rider to win the race.

Commenting on the footage, one X (formerly Twitter) user said: “It was a tough watch for me.”

What do you think of the race? Tell us in the comments section below

A horse and jockey are left on the floor after colliding with a wall (Image: Twitter)

Spectators flood onto the course at the end of a race (Image: Twitter)

Another added: “Some traditions need to be consigned to history.” A third said: “That’s what animal rising think an average card at Lingfield looks like. It’s horrible to watch.”

A fourth opined: “Not a fan… it doesn't necessarily justify itself on the best animal… not even sure how one would train a horse for this. Level of danger versus reward is way too high in my opinion for the horses. I wouldn't go and watch it being honest.”

The below video contains distressing scenes

Another condemned it as a “Terrible spectacle”.

While one more agreed, writing: "I can't believe I've never seen this before, but I hope I never do again… This is a disgrace that this can continue simply under the disguise of 'tradition'."