Organisers of famous Italian horse race reject royal request to perform at the Queen's 90th birthday party

The Queen of England has found that just because one rules the British Empire, one cannot always get what one wants - even on one's birthday.


As Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 90th birthday later this year, royal party organisers had invited jockeys of Italy's legendary Palio di Siena horse race to perform.

However, organisers of the famous equestrian event, held twice-a-year in Siena, central Tuscany, have turned down the invitation.

It is well-known that the Queen loves all things equestrian, so as organizers began to plan her 90th birthday celebrations in London held in June this year, they reached out to Palio di Siena.

However, despite the regal invite and a number of jockey's keen to go, the city organisers turned down the Queen's birthday.

It was mostly for organizational issues, as well as ethical ones,' Siena Mayor Bruno Valentini said according to The Local.it.

Race officials said it would not be possible to recreate Siena's iconic piazza, where the race takes place.

'The theatre of the Palio is the piazza. 'Outside of that space it doesn't make any sense,' explained a spokesperson for the Magistrate of the Contrade, the group that organises the race.
The mayor of Siena has instead extended an invitation for the Queen to come and watch the event live in the piazza.

The Palio di Siena, or simply Il Palio, is held in Siena and is one of the world's oldest and most dangerous horse races and as taken place twice a year since the mid-1600s.

Riders race through the city's plaza without saddles, doing three laps which takes no more than 90 seconds.

Every year, crowds line the street as the racers risk all in the dangerous race, representing different districts in the city and competing for pride.

It's now become an international event, with spectators from all over the globe, but the jockeys still carry their silks, with regional emblems that have existed since the race started.

And the competition is fierce, with injuries for both jockeys and horses a common feature in the high-adrenaline race.

However, with huge crowds and falls common, the race can be a stressful experience for the horses, which has led to calls from animal rights groups to call the race off.

According to Italy's largest animal rights group, LAV (the Anti-Vivisection League), more than 50 animals have died in Italian horse races in the summer months since 1970.