The controversial Palio horse race may be coming to Caernarfon, Wales as part of a tour. The organisers of the race which originates in Siena, Italy are in talks with Caernarfon Town Council to see if the race can go ahead.

The race is run every summer in Siena and consists of bareback jockeys riding their horses three times round the square.

Animal rights charities are opposed to the race as many horses have died during its history. Since the race began in 1970 approximately 43 horses have been killed during the race. Sand is put down on the floor or the square and the corners of buildings are padded but regular injuries still occur.

Caernarfon town council’s clerk Catherine Owen said:

As you can imagine there will be a lot of health and safety questions that would need to be addressed and lots of issues involving the public, the horses and the castle to be resolved. Nothing has been agreed at this stage. There will be several meetings before anything is passed and dates agreed.