Article by David Istrate – published on Thursday, August 07, 2025, 16:08 / Updated Thursday, 07 August 2025 16:11
Nikola Jokic (30 years old), the triple MVP of NBA, was invited to Palio, the famous horse race in Siena, which takes place twice a year and has a history of almost 4 centuries. The superstar of Denver Nuggets is passionate about this field, spending his summers in Serbia, his native country, at horse racing.
One of the most famous horse racing in the world is Palio, which takes place every year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy. 10 horses participate in this competition, Each representing a neighborhood of the city – a “contrada”.
A Siena's district is trying to attract Nikola Jokic's attention: “I know how much he loves horses”
The race attracts thousands of spectators year by year, being one of the most anticipated events in Siena. According to Luca Banchi, the coach of the Latvian national, one of the “counterers” has been trying for many years to invite Nikola Jokic, the NBA champion of 2023, at an edition of Palio.
“I can tell you a story. One of the districts, the panther, has been trying for years to invite Nikola to Palio, through his agent Miss Raznatovic. But they do not want to be insistent, to avoid refusal. They know how much he loves horses. Not the aspect related to races, but the animals themselves, ”the banchi revealed, in an interview for the meridian.
“I saw myself – he is in love. Like me. Like all the people in Siena. There are people in Italy who are against horse races, but in Siena I love animals. And I am glad for it, because both horses and dogs are my favorite animals,” added the Italian technician.
Banchi revealed that the districting has not yet been able to contact Jokic. “But why not? One day …,” said, confidently, the coach who broke up with Anadolu Ephes at the end of season 2024-2025.
“He would like it a lot, because he wouldn't have treated like a superstar there. Palio brings them all to the same level, people who are in love with horses. Whether you are a millionaire from NBA or a child with empty pockets, it doesn't matter.
They all share the same dream: to look at that horse race. People are happy. The extraordinary atmosphere lasts days, weeks, even months before and after the race ”, explained Banchi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orshbv_p33a
Nikola Jokic and Luca Banchi have a passion for horses: “When I saw him crying …”
Nikola Jokic's passion for horses is well-known, in the United States often making jokes about the fact that the Serbian pivot is more enjoyed for a success of his horse, than for winning a title in the NBA. As proof, the Olympic vice -champion was recently filmed after a horse race.
“When I saw Nikola crying after a race … that's it. That's the feeling. You have to go to Palio at least once in lifeOh. Must be on the wish list. I am from Grosseto, I worked in Siena as a coach for 7 years – and yet I saw the race live once! I didn't want to take up space. I wanted the people in Siena to take place and enjoy themselves. I felt it didn't belong to me. It belongs to them, ”said banchi.
The 60 -year -old coach ended talking about his passion for horses.
“I like it so much that I had horses too. But I made some bad decisions. After 3 years, I had to give up. I didn't win and it was no fun. But the memories remain. Every morning, between 5:30 and 6, I went to see them. Their morning training, in the cold of the winter, is not a good way.
My back doesn't let me ride, but because I live near the sea, I often see people riding horses on the beach. This image causes something deep in me. But not even that compares to what the people in Siena feel. ”
Nikola Jokic Was Emotional After Seeing His Horse Win 🥇🥹
I don't think he got this emotional even after winning an nba championship 😂
(via Arena Sport TV) pic.twitter.com/znru2fqxda
– Basketball Forever (@bballForever_) July 27, 2025
