“A few weeks ago I had the chance to go corgi racing” is not a statement I ever expected to write. But it’s true. To clarify, I wasn’t racing against corgis, but I was present and assisting, or at least trying to assist!
Canterbury Park racecourse held it’s annual Corgis and Cupcakes – a combination that seems somewhat random but in equal parts cute and delicious – day on July 30th, and I was lucky enough to be on Team Toby in Heat 5.
With a total of six heats, and over 10 corgis per heat, there was no shortage of adorable dogs to see, and visitors there to pet them. One lady said Toby was one of the corgis she had seen online and wanted to meet, and she had come from Maryland for the event – a level of dedication I had not expected.
The races took place on the home straight of the racecourse, in between the horse races. Although, as one of the busiest days in the entire racing calendar for Canterbury, it was clear nobody was really interested in the horses as they had all come to see some corgi butts strut their stuff.
As race time approached, we were told to line up in order (Toby being number 5) to receive our silks, before being led down through the main grandstand, where we waited for the announcement to move onto the course. You could cut the tension with a knife, as Toby eyeballed the competition either side of him. (He didn’t. He took the entire event in his stride as if he did it every day.)
We made our way down to the track, ready to be announced, and as I saw just how many people were there I realized the enormity of the occasion. I couldn’t mess this up, could I?
Spoiler: I nearly did.
As Toby’s name was called we walked down the course to the back of the starting gate to get into position before Brooke, Toby’s owner, made her way to the finish for him to run to.
As we waited I gave Toby a little pep talk, kept him focused on the prize, and waited for the start.
Now, in my defense, the PA system at a racecourse is there primarily for the crowd, not for the jockeys, so it points away from the course, and not on it. As such, it was very difficult to hear when the race started…
…so there was inevitable but understandable confusion when a Corgi suddenly bolted from the start line, followed by more. I had a split second decision to make: was this the start of the race, or owners being too eager? Toby hadn’t come all this way not to run just because I messed up hearing the start, so I let him join in, and he bolted for the finish line.
A couple of seconds later it was clear this was not the start of the race, but at least he got a practise start! I, however, had to try to get him back in position, and as I chased him around the track I had visions of everyone else waiting patiently to start, as the big screen followed me around like some sort of slapstick comedy character failing to catch a Corgi!
As he trotted back through the gate nobody could get hold of him, until I finally got close enough to make a diving leap, wrapping my arms around his belly in a bear hug, before taking him back to gate 5, with me covered in mud.
This time everything went to plan. Another pep talk, total concentration, and at the gun Toby was off, although veering slightly to the right…
It was a great race, there was a photo finish, and although Toby didn’t make it to the final he did himself proud! You can watch The entire day on YouTube, although this is Toby’s race (he’s number 5 in the green silks):
You’ll have to go back a little to see me – pre-diving catch – trying to get him back after the false start, but luckily the rest wasn’t captured on camera.
A huge thank you to Brooke for letting me be a part of this day, it was great fun, and to Toby for putting up with me!
