Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Dogs take part in ‘corgi derby’ at racecourse for Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The event took place at Musselburgh.

Lucinda Cameron
Sunday 05 June 2022 17:26 BST
Participants cross the finish line in a corgi derby (Jane Barlow/PA)
Participants cross the finish line in a corgi derby (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ten dogs have taken part in the first “corgi derby” at a racecourse as part of celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The corgis, the Queen’s favourite breed, took to the track at Musselburgh Race Course in East Lothian on Sunday, in a close race that resulted in a photo finish.

Nine-year-old Paddy, a distant relative of one of the Queen’s corgis, was among the competitors.

The trophy was won by Georgie, who is nearly 18 months old, and surprised her owners with her speed in the race.

Her owner, Alison Rumbles, said it was a wonderful afternoon.

She said: “After having two years of the pandemic it’s just so joyful to have something that’s so much fun.

“We were really shocked that Georgie won. We know she is fast because she runs by our border collie and she can really run, but she was just so fast.

“I think she loved it, she just loves being around other corgis, it’s almost like she has found her tribe, they cuddle and play and it’s so lovely to watch.

“She is exhausted now but she just loved it.”

As the race resulted in a photo finish, officials analysed it as they would with horses and confirmed Georgie as the winner.

Mrs Rumbles, a wool fibre artist from Haddington, East Lothian, had made a needlefelt corgi trophy for the winner.

But rather than take it home with her after her own dog won, she gave it to nine-year-old Claudia Breen, who owns Paddy, saying she had made it for someone else to enjoy.

John Breen, Claudia’s grandfather, said: “It could not have been a better day, it was absolutely brilliant.

“Paddy was the oldest dog in the race at nine years old and finished second.

“He just loves to run about and my granddaughter said why don’t we enter him in the corgi derby, and he was absolutely brilliant, we were all over the moon.”

Mr Breen, from Port Seton, added: “Win, lose or draw it was a great fun day.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in