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Seagull-chasing dog swoops to victory in Corgi Derby | Seagull-chasing dog swoops to victory in Corgi Derby |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Juno, in Army green colours, saw off a determined challenge from previous champ Rodney, number 8, to claim victory | Juno, in Army green colours, saw off a determined challenge from previous champ Rodney, number 8, to claim victory |
A dog whose training regime included chasing Edinburgh's seagulls has claimed victory in this year's Corgi Derby. | A dog whose training regime included chasing Edinburgh's seagulls has claimed victory in this year's Corgi Derby. |
Sixteen runners were flagged off by official starter, tennis coach Judy Murray, at the Easter Saturday event at Musselburgh racecourse in East Lothian. | Sixteen runners were flagged off by official starter, tennis coach Judy Murray, at the Easter Saturday event at Musselburgh racecourse in East Lothian. |
Four-year-old Juno from Edinburgh's Portobello pipped the 2023 champion Rodney with a final sprint in the closing stages of the race, held over a third of a furlong or 70m (230ft). | |
Her owners said chasing the gulls on "Porty Beach" had helped in her preparation, although the prospect of a treat at the end may also have spurred her to victory. | Her owners said chasing the gulls on "Porty Beach" had helped in her preparation, although the prospect of a treat at the end may also have spurred her to victory. |
The annual Corgi Derby has proved a popular Easter family event at the racecourse since it was first introduced in 2022. | The annual Corgi Derby has proved a popular Easter family event at the racecourse since it was first introduced in 2022. |
This year's race attracted one entrant - named Chester Barkington - from as far afield as Yorkshire. | This year's race attracted one entrant - named Chester Barkington - from as far afield as Yorkshire. |
Juno seemed impressed by her winnings, presented by tennis coach Judy Murray | Juno seemed impressed by her winnings, presented by tennis coach Judy Murray |
Juno's proud owners, Frances Brandon and Alasdair Tew, said she came ninth out of 12 in last year's race - but a new training regime had paid dividends. | Juno's proud owners, Frances Brandon and Alasdair Tew, said she came ninth out of 12 in last year's race - but a new training regime had paid dividends. |
In the Parade Ring, Mr Tew explained: "We trained her for this last year but this year we just resorted to just letting her chasing things, particularly seagulls on Porty Beach and that has paid off." | In the Parade Ring, Mr Tew explained: "We trained her for this last year but this year we just resorted to just letting her chasing things, particularly seagulls on Porty Beach and that has paid off." |
Holding some treats, he added: "Juno is always ready for treats – that is probably why she won. We would love to come back next year." | Holding some treats, he added: "Juno is always ready for treats – that is probably why she won. We would love to come back next year." |
Some of the runners were showing some competitive spirit | Some of the runners were showing some competitive spirit |
In a hotly-contested race, teeth were occasionally bared and there was some jostling for position in the closing sprint. | In a hotly-contested race, teeth were occasionally bared and there was some jostling for position in the closing sprint. |
In the end, however, Juno came from behind and pipped 2023 champion Rodney while third place was taken by a corgi named Daisy. | In the end, however, Juno came from behind and pipped 2023 champion Rodney while third place was taken by a corgi named Daisy. |
Judy Murray, no stranger to champions, presented the winnings which included various dog toys and treats. | Judy Murray, no stranger to champions, presented the winnings which included various dog toys and treats. |
The mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie said it was the second time she had been invited to start the race. | The mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie said it was the second time she had been invited to start the race. |
"Some of them will run straight, some of them will not start at all, some of them will go off on a tangent or bite each other," she explained. | "Some of them will run straight, some of them will not start at all, some of them will go off on a tangent or bite each other," she explained. |
"It's absolute carnage but it's great fun because it's so unusual". | "It's absolute carnage but it's great fun because it's so unusual". |
First launched in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, the Corgi Derby was created to celebrate the breed which was the late monarch's favourite. | First launched in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, the Corgi Derby was created to celebrate the breed which was the late monarch's favourite. |
Aisling Johnston, head of marketing at Musselburgh Racecourse, said the annual event was growing in popularity. | Aisling Johnston, head of marketing at Musselburgh Racecourse, said the annual event was growing in popularity. |
"It was an extremely competitive race and a well-deserved victory by lovely Juno but congratulation to all owners and their corgis who took part." | "It was an extremely competitive race and a well-deserved victory by lovely Juno but congratulation to all owners and their corgis who took part." |
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