Jockeys
Why do Sienese call the jockeys killers?
Because the jockey is a
mercenary and can sell his victory to other Contradas; therefore the name killer
is, for his ease to offer himself to the best bidder (but it isn't always like this, of
course).
Is it true that a jockey can earn a lot
of money by winning a Palio? How much is the maximum?
There is no maximum or minimum
amount, it depends from what a jockey manages to do at the start, agreements and various
terms that, sometimes, bring more money to the loser than to the winner. What's sure is
that a jockey gets an amount of money even in losing effort, but telling how much
he earns as a winner... is impossible.
Why sometimes jockeys are beaten and
questioned?
Because the Contrada expected
they won or hindered the enemy or, even worse, because they aimed at losing in an evident
way (for the enraged Contrada members), letting win who promised them more money.
Is the jockey always blamed if he loses
the Palio?
It is necessary to see how he
behaved in the Palio. If he ran with honour and carried out the important tactical
strategies, he is praised even if he doesn't win.