A New Zealand-born Corgi has won the fifth edition of a race originally held to celebrate the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Since 2022 corgis, a breed beloved by Queen Elizabeth II, have raced in a 70-metre dash held in Musselburgh, Scotland.
This year Islay – owned by Carolyne Ricardo – took home the fifth ‘Corgi Derby’ trophy after beating off the competition of 14 others.
More than 50 dogs had entered so a ballot was held to decide the participants, which included former champions Georgie Rumbles and Rodney, winners in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
Ever-present contenders Toffee and Pippin maintained their record of having competed in every race so far.
Islay also beat last year’s winner Juno, whose training included chasing seagulls near Portobello Beach, according to the race organisers.
Other Flat racing on the day included the Scottish Spring Cup, the Queen’s Cup and the introduction of the new Goliath Cup, formerly the Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham.
Aisling Johnson, head of marketing at Musselburgh Racecourse, said the Corgi Derby had become ‘something of a runaway hit’ which began as ‘a bit of fun’ but had ‘grown into a real highlight’ of the weekend.
On your barks!
Corgis raced in the fifth Derby held at Musselburgh Racecourse, originally to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022
The corgis posed with their owners before the race began, each wearing a covering marked with a number
Some 15 corgis took part but around 50 applied, so a ballot was held to decide the final lineup
The dogs paraded with their owners in the paddock before the race began
Islay, originally from New Zealand, paraded with owner Carolyne Ricardo, who sported a ‘Run fast, Nap hard’ t-shirt
The race was hard-fought, with the corgis battling to reach the finish line
The field of 15 dogs were watched closly by their owners from the start line
Islay crossed the finish line before the rest to pick up her first Corgi Derby title
Posing with her trophy, Islay was celebrated at Musselburgh Racecourse
Islay’s owner joined her as they picked up the trophy and a hamper of prizes
The victorious corgi looked triumphant as she attended the prize-giving
The Derby’s programme detailed the dogs in the field for spectators
Islay was paraded for the media after her win, even getting the chance to speak into an Edinburgh Reporter microphone
The victorious corgi licked her lips as she savoured the attention in East Lothian
