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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Ryan McDougall

Promise of hot dogs spurs on Pembroke Welsh corgi to victory in the annual derby

Participants take part in the Corgi Derby at Musselburgh Racecourse, Musselburgh, East Lothian, as part of its Easter Saturday race day celebration. Picture date: Saturday April 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire - (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The promise of hot dogs at the finish line was enough to spur on a Pembroke Welsh corgi to victory in the annual Easter corgi derby at a Scottish racecourse.

Three-year-old Islay, which was born in New Zealand, romped to victory in the race at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Owner Carolyne Ricardo, a vet at the University of Glasgow, said: “It’s a bit of surprise because we only found out two weeks ago she had been accepted for the race but I am delighted.”

Participants take part in the Corgi Derby at Musselburgh Racecourse, Musselburgh, East Lothian, as part of its Easter Saturday race day celebration (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Ms Ricardo, originally from New York, added: “She likes a nap and is a slow starter in the morning but if she comes across a squirrel it’s a goner.”

Dogs from across the world competed in the race including Sadie, which travelled with her owner from Newquay, Cornwall, and Naomi, which lives in Glasgow with her owners, but was born in China.

The annual race is in its fifth year and was created in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022.

Islay, originally from New Zealand with owner Carolyne Ricardo from Glasgow, after winning the Corgi Derby at Musselburgh Racecourse, Musselburgh, East Lothian, as part of its Easter Saturday race day celebration. Picture date: Saturday April 4, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Jane Barlow/PA Wire (Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

Musselburgh racecourse head of marketing and business development, Aisling Johnston, said: “Our Virgin Bet Scottish sprint cup race day is a fixture featuring lots of high quality horse racing with more than £300,000 on offer – but it’s no exaggeration to say our little, four-legged friends do their best to steal the show.”

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