Fourteen victories from 58 appearances at the Palio di Siena. Andrea Degortes, universally known as Aceto, is one of the most legendary figures in Siena's history. But his record is now under threat from Giovanni Atzeni, known as Tittia, who has reached 13 victories. And Aceto, as always, has no intention of hiding his opinions.

In his latest interview with Moto.it, the legendary Sardinian jockey reflects on the recent victory of the Aquila contrada, which he had actually predicted a year earlier.

Despite his satisfaction, Aceto declined an invitation to the victory celebrations because Tittia was the winning jockey.

He acknowledges his rival's remarkable talent and intelligence but openly questions the balance of power in today's Palio. In Aceto's view, leading jockeys now exercise an influence that traditionally belonged to the contrada captains.

The interview becomes a journey through Palio history, featuring memories of great rivals such as Bastianino and Trecciolino, as well as the extraordinary horses that shaped Aceto's career.

One of the most memorable was Panezio, a horse Aceto initially underestimated before recognizing his exceptional ability to handle the unique challenges of Piazza del Campo.

He also recalls negotiations between contrade, substantial appearance fees and the agreements made between jockeys. Among the most striking stories is his account of a 500-million-lira offer in 1976 to switch to the Torre contrada, an offer he ultimately turned down.

But Aceto's story extends far beyond horse racing. He recalls his childhood as a goat herder in Sardinia, his financial ups and downs, his passion for expensive cars and encounters with remarkable personalities.

Among them were Luciano Pavarotti, whom he hosted at his home and who sang “Vincerò” for him, and Pope John Paul II, to whom he presented one of his racing caps.

Now 83, Aceto looks back on his extraordinary life with nostalgia, humor and the unmistakable personality that made him a legend.

And when asked to sum up his career in a single sentence, he delivers a characteristically provocative declaration of pride: "I am who I am, and the rest of you aren't worth a damn."