LONDON — Scotland recently hosted its annual Corgi Derby, showcasing the speed and spirit of some of the fastest short-legged canines at Musselburgh Racecourse.
The Corgi Derby was inaugurated in 2022 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. The late Queen was fond of corgis, having owned almost 30 during her lifetime, in addition to a few crossbreeds known as dorgis, which are a corgi-dachshund mix.
During this year’s event, a four-year-old corgi named Juno emerged victorious in a competitive lineup of 16 dogs. Dressed in brightly colored sweaters, the dogs raced over a 230-foot (70-meter) track at the racecourse located near Edinburgh. Despite trailing initially, Juno made a strong comeback during the final stretch to surpass Rodney, the previous year’s champion.
As a reward, Juno and her owners, Alisdair Tew and Fran Brandon, were presented with a trophy and a selection of dog treats. The presentation was made by esteemed tennis coach Judy Murray, mother of famous Scottish tennis player Andy Murray.
Tew mentioned to a broadcaster that although they trained Juno extensively the previous year, this time around, they simply allowed her to indulge in her natural chasing instincts, like pursuing seagulls on Edinburgh’s Portobello Beach.
“Juno always aims for the treats — that’s likely the reason she clinched the win,” Tew explained.
Queen Elizabeth’s affection for corgis began in 1933 when her father, King George VI, brought home a Pembroke Welsh corgi named Dookie.
Throughout her life, corgis were a constant presence by her side, even preceding her passing in September 2022. These loyal companions accompanied her on official visits, had their own living quarters at Buckingham Palace, and on occasion, playfully nipped at the heels of visitors or family members.
Notably, three corgis made an appearance alongside the queen in a famous video that marked the opening of the 2012 London Olympics, where she joined James Bond in a helicopter.