Juno the Corgi is Top Dog in Scotland Race

A 4-year-old named Juno outran a field of 16 to win the Musselburgh Racecourse Corgi Derby in East Lothian, Scotland. The Easter Sunday event, now in its fourth year, attracts corgis from all over the greater Edinburgh area.

Juno, who came in ninth place in last year’s Derby, started the 230-foot race far back in the field but blew past the competition with an impressive sprint, overtaking the 2024 winner (Rodney) right at the finish line. Her owners said she trained by chasing seagulls at Portobello Beach outside Edinburgh.

“Juno is always ready for treats -– that is probably why she won,” owner Alisdair Tew told the BBC. “We would love to come back next year.”

The competitors were serious about the proceedings, as some racers bared their canines and jostled rudely for position. A few ran in the wrong direction or stopped running altogether, apparently not fully aware of the rules. 

Judy Murray (mother of tennis champions Andy and Jamie Murray) had the honor of starting the race and of presenting the winnings to the victor, assorted dog toys and treats.

“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,” Murray told the BBC. “It's absolute carnage but it's great fun because it's so unusual.”

The race was first held in 2022 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years on the throne. The late monarch had owned nearly three dozen corgis over her lifetime.

The great race is documented here.

Photo credit: STV News / PM Media