Antonio Francesco Mula stood out in the last appointment of the training course in Mociano. In fact, he performed very well on the various subjects that he mounted on the track which is located a few kilometers from the Sienese city centre. His dream is to return on horseback even a few kilometers away from Mociano, in what is the heart of the city of Siena, in Piazza del Campo, and therefore be able to take part in another Palio.
Until today he has only been given one chance: it was July 2022 and Valdimontone captain Stefano Marchetti believed in him, giving him the opportunity to ride the debutant Vitzichesu and also giving him the nickname Shardana. Two years later, Mula hopes to be back in the Sienese shell and to be among the ten jockeys in Piazza del Campo again on July 2nd. He is still young, he is about to turn 27, but he is slowly gaining a fair amount of experience. He is an enterprising boy and loves his profession, he shows it in the various events in which he participates. In the provinces he almost always manages to be the protagonist.
Antonio Francesco Mula, in the last appointment in Mociano, managed to show himself with Volpino, Canarinu and Bim Bum Bam: what moment is he experiencing?
I train and prepare as best I can. I try to “always stay on track”, to show myself ready, I don’t want to give up an inch.
Volpino has already been included once by the captains among the ten horses of the lot: could he be chosen again?
Volpino is a horse with experience, as you will remember later he didn’t have the chance to run that Palio and therefore it would be nice to see him in a career. During the training course he shows his qualities: he is good on the ropes, he has some skills, he is certainly a reliable subject.
What is your opinion of the other horses you have in your stable?
Canarinu has good qualities. He will make all the scheduled appointments and can do the route in July. He is 6 years old, so he is already of Palio age: he is cold, lucid, certainly reliable. Bim Bum Bam will also be able to do the route, she has already had good experience and in my opinion she performed really well in Mociano. In general in the stable I have fairly young horses that need to mature, just as I need to mature. They are accumulating experience and I must say that I am satisfied with what they are showing at the start of the season.
Waiting for the draw in the framework for the Palio in July are Valdimontone, the district in which you made your debut, and districts like Civetta and Bruco which could be good streets for you?
I have good relationships. I meet some managers, then it is obvious that at the moment I have no guarantees and no one can give them to me. I try to show myself, I try to show my qualities and if I am given an opportunity I will give my all to repay the trust.
What year is ahead for you?
I hope it’s a good year ahead, I hope I can bring something to the end. I will be in Asti, I will do the memorial in Legnano, I have relationships in Fucecchio and I hope they materialize.
What would you say to a captain to make him believe in you?
The evaluations are made by the captains and managers. I can only say that if they want to ride me I am a person who always gives my best and honors the jacket. If I get an opportunity I won’t give 100%, but 300%.
