Islay wins the 2026 Corgi Derby at Musselburgh Racecourse

Hailing from Winton in New Zealand the three-year-old Pembroke Welsh Corgi was roared on by owner Carolyne Ricardo, a New Yorker who is a vet at Glasgow University.

Encouraged by her favourite treat – hot dogs – which were concealed in Carolyne’s pocket and waiting at the finish line, Islay lived up to her motto: “run fast, nap hard”.

Carolyne said:

“We do agility so she is good a listening to directions but I only found out two weeks ago that we had got into the race. We won the first trial race but I kept her out the second trial to conserve her energy and it paid off.

“I was trying to shout to her but was wondering if she would get distracted and start playing other dogs. I was shouting as loud as I could and I had hot dogs in my pocket – which always helps - but it was only at about half way in the race that I think she properly clocked me.”

Team Islay’s supporters were wearing red t-shirts with the slogan “run fast, nap hard”. Carolyne explained:

“She loves a lie-in and she looks at me almost asking why I have to go to work when we get up in the morning so it seemed appropriate. She likes a nap but if she comes across a squirrel it’s a goner.”

As always it was not so much a close run contest as a chaotic dash over the 70 metre course toward the finishing line in front of Musselburgh’s historic grandstand, cheered on by excitable owners and a growing band of Corgi racing fans.

Furthest travelled on the day was number five Sadie who made the 530-mile trip from Newquay in Cornwall to East Lothian, getting a late call up after another canine entrant pulled out at the last minute.

Originally brought up near Melbourne, Victoria, the Aussie expat swapped the Outback for Cornish pasties in 2023 and owners Jane and Pna Kitto Andersson revealed Sadie trained for the big race by herding footballs and stalking the neighbourhood cat.

Number 1 entry Naomi was born and brought up in China but is now a fully naturalised Glaswegian, while number 6 Buddy - also originally from China - improved on its 2025 last place but was not amongst the top three.

Now in its fifth year and inaugurated to mark the late Queen Elizabeth the Second’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, the Corgi Derby attracted more than 50 entries and a ballot was held to select the final 14 runners.

Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing and Business Development, Aisling Johnston, said: “Our Virgin Bet Scottish Sprint Cup Raceday 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.

“It’s great fun for all ages and you don’t need to be barking mad to enjoy the Corgi Derby but it helps. Congratulations to Islay, who proved a worthy fifth winner of the Musselburgh Corgi Derby.”