Caresana Ox Race — Saint George's Feast

An uninterrupted tradition since 1236

The Caresana Ox Race, held in a small town in the Bassa Vercellese area of the Vercelli province, is one of Italy's most ancient traditional events. It has been held without interruption since 1236, the year historical records trace back to the religious vow from which it originated. Legend has it that the cart drivers, returning from the church of Saint George after the blessing of the bread, wanted to race to be the first to bring it back to the village: from that spontaneous challenge between ox teams, the race that still ignites the Piedmontese village today was born.

The race along Corso Roma

The heart of the festival is the actual race, which takes place along the approximately 200 meters of Corso Roma, the town's main artery. The ox teams, yoked to carts and guided by their handlers, launch into a sprint that requires strength, experience, and great harmony between human and animal. The starting order is drawn the day before, and the challenge is played out in several heats before a crowd that packs the barriers along the route.

Faith, folklore, and community

The Ox Race is inseparable from the Feast of Saint George, the patron saint celebrated on April 23rd. The event maintains a strong religious character: it opens with a solemn procession of the Saint's statue, Holy Mass, and the blessing of the bread, a gesture that evokes the ancient vow. Moments of authentic village life revolve around the competition—the band's visit to the retirement home, the community lunch, games, and evening entertainment—making this a day deeply felt by generations of Caresana residents.

In the heart of the rice-growing plains

Caresana lies among the rice fields of the Vercelli province, in eastern Piedmont, in a landscape defined by water, farmsteads, and ancient trade routes. The Ox Race represents the living memory of a farming civilization where oxen were the protagonists of field work: witnessing the race means touching a piece of rural Piedmontese history, proudly guarded by the local community and recognized as an intangible cultural heritage asset.

When it takes place

The Ox Race is traditionally held on the Sunday following April 23rd, Saint George's Day. The 790th edition took place on April 26, 2026, while the 789th was held on April 27, 2025. It is a free, open-air event, ideal for those seeking an authentic popular tradition far from the major tourist circuits.