race, the Town Plate, which is nearing its
350th anniversary, a rule states that: 'Ev-
ery rider that layeth hold on, or striketh
any of the riders, shall win no plate or
prize.' In theory a similar rule exists in
the Palio, but in fact state-sanctioned
whip-brandishing between jockeys is com-
monplace. Indeed, after the riders have
been frisked before mounting to ensure
there are no concealed weapons under
their costumes, a police officer at the
entrance to the piazza hands each one a
whip made of an ox penis which has been
elongated by weights. After being used
both to urge horses and strike rival rid-
ers, the whip of the triumphant jockey is
waved high as a victory salute in a man-
ner entirely befitting the machismo of the
event.
