Contrada del Drago wins Palio

First win since 2001 for Dragon Quarter

(ANSA) - Siena, July 3 - The Contrada del Drago (Dragon Quarter) won Siena's famous twice-yearly Palio horse race for the first time since August 2001 Wednesday night. Jockey Alberto Ricceri aka Salasso (Bloodsucker) rode grey seven-year-old gelding Oppio (Opium) to victory in the pellmell bareback contest around the Tuscan city's central piazza.

It was the third win for Ricceri, 38. Many riders and horses were nursing aches and bruises Thursday after a typically rough-and-tumble event, but no animals had to be put down. The Palio, meaning "banner", dating back to the 13th century, is one of Italy's most colourful tourist attractions although many newcomers to the event are shocked at how violent it can be and how much deep-rooted intraurban enmity it arouses.

This year's Palio looked set for trouble amid pre-race jostling that forced the 'mossiere', or starter, to call back the mounts seven times. But Ricceri's sweeping ride to leave the field straggling rather than bumping and grinding avoided major incident. Siena's iconic race, which formed the backdrop to the opening sequence of the 2007 James Bond film Quantum of Solace, takes place each year on July 2 and August 16, although some years have an extra one at the beginning of September.

Jockeys from ten of Siena's 17 'contrade' or neighbourhoods compete for the silk prize in the 90-second hurtle around the Piazza del Campo. The only rule in the competition is that the jockeys, or fantini, mustn't grab the reins of their adversaries. That means whipping a rival's horse or even knocking a jockey off his steed is allowed. Victory goes to the first horse to complete three laps of the square, even if it arrives at the finishing post without a rider.

The chaotic race in Siena's main square attracts thousands of visitors each year who are mostly oblivious to the punishment the horses take. But animal rights activists have long campaigned to get the event banned, saying it is cruel, has little to do with sporting skill and is dangerous for the horses, jockeys and spectators. More than 50 horses have died on the course since 1970.