{{Short description|Popular sport in Tobago}} {{about|the sport|the motor racing team|GOAT Racing}} thumb|Buccoo Goat Race Festival (2014) '''Goat Racing''' is a sport that originated in Buccoo, Tobago, which is part of the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism"/> The sport has been continued by some legends in Townsville. Started in 1925 by a Barbadian, Samuel Callendar, goat racing historically occurs on the Tuesday after Easter day, which is known as 'Easter Tuesday' in Trinidad and Tobago and is an unofficial public holiday in Tobago.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> Today, it is called the ''Buccoo Goat Race Festival'',<ref name="TT Connect" /> which is a popular and lively event that draws thousands of spectators, mainly from Trinidad.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /><ref name="Tobago News" /> Also part of the festival is the less popular crab racing.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> In crab racing, large blue crabs and their jockeys are placed in the centre of a large circle drawn in the sand and coaxed towards the circle's perimeter by their jockeys through a bamboo pole with a string attached to the crab.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> The first crab to breach the circle is the winner.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> The ''Buccoo Goat Race Festival'' is Tobago's most internationally acclaimed festival.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" />
==History== Buccoo, a small seaside village on the southwest coast of Tobago, has hosted goat racing.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> In the early twentieth-century, since horse racing was reserved for the local elite, goat racing developed as a poor man's equivalent.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> With horse racing traditionally occurring on Easter Monday (the Monday after Easter), Easter Tuesday (the day after Easter Monday) was chosen to run goat races<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> by the Buccoo Goat Race Festival Committee, a sub-committee of the Buccoo Village Council, that organises the goat race annually.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> Like race horses, the goats are all named.
Initially, goat races were held on Chance Street but were relocated twice when Chance Street was paved.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> The first relocation was to the Battery, which was unpopular because overhanging cliffs were near the finish line. The second and current relocation is the Buccoo Integrated Facility, which is a $100 million goat race arena that includes stables.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /><ref name="Tobago News" />
== Around the world == Although Tobago is known as the goat racing capital of the world<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> and has the earliest and longest running goat race, goat racing now occurs worldwide.
=== Uganda === The ''Royal Ascot Goat Race'' in Kampala, Uganda, began in 1993.<ref name="Uganda" /> The idea evolved from a pig race in Zimbabwe. The pig race was held in the garden of a local horse breeder (in Zimbabwe) to celebrate his birthday because he did not have enough space for a horse race.<ref name="Uganda" /> When Entebbe Sailing Club in Uganda considered fund-raising ideas, they adopted the idea of a pig race but substituted goats instead. It first started out on the grounds of the Kampala Rugby Club with 400 people in attendance.<ref name="Uganda" /> By 1998, it outgrew this facility and was moved to the Speke Resort, Munyonyo, in 1999 because it is the only location large enough to host the goat races, which grossed USh 10 million and attracted over 7,000 people in 2005.<ref name="Uganda" /> Along with size, the goat race also grew in scale.<ref name="Uganda" /> It quickly evolved into a whole day event modeled on the Royal Ascot horse races in Ascot, Berkshire, England. Unlike in Tobago, goats are not trained for speed or endurance; instead, goat handlers push a padded vertical barrier behind the goats to keep the goats moving sideways during the race. However, there still is prize money of more than USh 30 million awarded to the winning goat's owners.
Similar to the Royal Ascot horse races, there is as much emphasis on dress, in particular unusual hats.<ref name="Uganda" /> At the ''Royal Ascot Goat Race'', prizes are awarded to the best dressed couple, man, woman, and child, as well as to the person wearing the most extravagant hat, and best goat name.<ref name="Uganda" /><ref name="BBC Travel" /> Spectators can also bet on goats.<ref name="BBC Travel" /> Through a preliminary parade around the track and a betters' guide that describes each goat, spectators can gauge possible winners.<ref name="BBC Travel" /> Proceeds from betting go to local charities. Along with goat races, there are hospitality and food tents as well as children's amusements.<ref name="Uganda" />
=== Tanzania === Following Uganda's lead, Tanzania introduced the ''Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races'' in 2001 to raise money for local charities.<ref name="Tanzania" /> Since its inception, the goat races have raised more than TSh 600 million.<ref name="Tanzania" /> ''Dar es Salaam Charity Goat Races'' are similar in structure to the ''Royal Ascot Goat Race'' with jockeys holding a padded horizontal barrier behind the goats to ensure that the goats stay on track.<ref name="Tanzania" /> Another similarity that Tanzania's goat race has with Uganda's is the competitions for spectators: there are best dressed couple and group, children's fancy dress, most colourful and creative hat, and best goat name.<ref name="Tanzania" />
=== United Kingdom === On Saturday, April 11, 2015 the 7th annual ''Oxford and Cambridge Goat Race'' took place.<ref name="UK" /> The race is between two goats named after the prestigious universities and is run at Spitalfields City Farm in East London.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-32264655|title = Pygmy goats race in Oxford Cambridge Goat Race|work = BBC News|date = 11 April 2015}}</ref> The 2016 race takes place on Sunday March 27.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/london/festivals/the-oxford-v-cambridge-goat-race|title = The Oxford v Cambridge Goat Race | Things to do in London| date=17 February 2020 }}</ref> All proceeds from the race go to Spitalfields City Farm, which is a registered charity, to cover the year's food bills for the farm animals. On the day, there are stalls selling food and craft items.<ref name="UK" /> The two goats that participate in the race 'run' along their daily route, which leads from an exercise paddock to their stables.<ref name="UK" /> The goats walk or run at their own speed although a bucket of food leads them. The goats are also outfitted in lightweight coats in the Oxford and Cambridge colours.<ref name="UK" />
=== United States ===
==== Falmouth, PA ==== In Falmouth, PA, there is an annual ''Running of the Goats'', which has happened for 33 years.<ref name="Falmouth" /> On Saturday, September 28, 2013, ''Running of the Goats'' will be held for the 34th time. The Falmouth goat race is organized by the Falmouth Civic Association and it includes a craft fair as well as food stands.<ref name="Falmouth" />
==== Phoenixville, PA ==== Phoenixville, PA, runs an annual ''Sly Fox Bock Festival & Goat Race'' at the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery in Pikeland Village Square on the first Sunday in May.<ref name="Sly Fox" /> The Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery is owned and run by the Sly Fox Brewery, a Pennsylvania brewery.<ref name="Sly Fox" /> The event has evolved into multiple races where the final race matches the day's winners.<ref name="Sly Fox" /> The winning goat has a Maibock named after it and its owners receive a $75.00 USD gift certificate for the Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery. Spectators enjoy German food and music.<ref name="Sly Fox" />
==Training== The characteristics sought after for a racing goat are strength, endurance, and speed.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> Animals are trained for at least two months prior to racing when speed and strength are developed.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> With a rope tied around the goat's neck, a trainer teaches the goat to walk progressively faster until the goat is running just ahead of or beside the trainer.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="TT Connect" /> The trainer also incorporates swimming to build the goat's strength and muscle mass. The goat's diet is carefully regulated to ensure peak performance on race day.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> Goats are trained on the beach or nearby pasture land.<ref name="TT Connect" /> Race goats also known as steeds typically have owners, trainers, and jockeys.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /><ref name="Tobago Hot Spots" />
===Jockeys and form=== Jockeys who run barefoot also train to increase speed and endurance since they must keep up with the speed of the goat.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="WDL" /> With a rope tied around the goat's neck, the jockey typically runs immediately behind or beside the goat to urge it on.<ref name="WDL" /> On race day, jockeys and goats run a 100-yard (300 feet) race on a grass field;<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> a goat will be disqualified if it outruns its jockey.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" />
Before races, jockeys warm up through stretching exercises and sprint starts.<ref name="Travel & Tourism" /> They might also examine the course for irregularities in the terrain.<ref name="Travel & Tourism" />
===Gender & Lifespan=== Billy goats (male goats) are preferred to nanny goats (female goats) because they live longer even though nanny goats are faster runners.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> A racing goat can live up to thirteen years with proper attention to diet and training.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" />
===Classification=== The Buccoo Goat Race Festival Committee created a classification system based on experience to categorize goats for races:<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> * A - most experienced runner * B - ran for the past two years * C1 - ran the previous year * C2 - first time runner
Based on this classification, a goat is entered into the appropriate race based on its racing experience.<ref name="Goat Race Derby" />
==Race day== thumb|Buccoo Goat Race Festival (2014) On race day, there is a parade of goats and jockeys through Buccoo village with commentators stating which goats are the favourites to win in their races.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /><ref name="Tobago Hot Spots" /> This is usually followed by a cultural programme and brief formal ceremony.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> Goat racing begins after these events.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> Similar to racing horses, some goats can give trouble in the starting box.<ref name="Travel & Tourism" /> Races are sponsored by local companies and accompanied by much shouting as spectators urge their favourites on.<ref name="Goat Race Derby" /> Spectators can vote for and bet on their favourite goats.<ref name="TT Connect" /><ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> In 2011, the Tobago House of Assembly's Facebook page hosted a "Vote for Your Goat" competition, which included full profiles on the goats including personality, history, and jockeys.<ref name="Tobago Hot Spots" /> Prizes are awarded to winning goats.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /> Interspersed throughout the goat races are more cultural programmes and vendors selling local delicacies, sometimes out of their homes.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> The day concludes at sundown with a huge street party.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" /> The mood is one of celebration.<ref name="Crab and Goat Race" />
===Tourism=== Buccoo Goat Race Festival is such a big tourism draw for Tobago that it now occurs in two locations: on Easter Tuesday at Buccoo village and on Easter Monday at Mt. Pleasant (a village) that constructed a $10 million TT sporting pavilion to host goat racing and other sporting activities year round.<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility" /><ref name="Goat Race Derby" /> The Tobago House of Assembly's Department of Tourism sponsors the race, which is an annual family event.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /> A race is also run during Tobago Heritage Festival, which is from mid-July to August 1.<ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism" /><ref name="NALIS" />
====Development==== The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) has been criticised in the local Tobago media for not turning a unique festival that lasts a few days and financially benefits some breeders, trainers, and jockeys into a year-round industry that can economically benefit the entire island with the ''Buccoo Goat Race Festival'' at its centre.<ref name="Tobago News" /> In 2012, THA Chief Secretary Orville London said that the THA plans to introduce a derby in 2013.<ref name="Goat Race Derby" /> According to London, the derby will require Buccoo and Mt. Pleasant to host goat races throughout the year where points will be accumulated for the derby.<ref name="Goat Race Derby" />
==See also== * List of Trinidad and Tobago-related topics * Index of Trinidad and Tobago-related articles * Spitalfields City Farm
==References== {{Reflist| refs= <ref name="Tobago Division of Tourism">{{cite web|title=Goat Racing|url=https://www.visittobago.gov.tt/blog/goat-racing-what-it-and-why-its-big-deal-tobago|publisher=Tobago Tourism Agency|accessdate=19 October 2020}}</ref>
<ref name="TT Connect">{{cite web|title=Buccoo Goat Race Festival|url=http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/gortt/portal/ttconnect/eventnholiday/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/gortt/wcm/connect/GorTT%20Web%20Content/ttconnect/home/events+and+holidays/buccoo+goat+race+festival|work=Trinidad and Tobago Government Online|publisher=Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago|accessdate=9 July 2013|archive-date=5 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105041446/http://www.ttconnect.gov.tt/gortt/portal/ttconnect/eventnholiday/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/gortt/wcm/connect/GorTT%20Web%20Content/ttconnect/home/events+and+holidays/buccoo+goat+race+festival|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Buccoo Beach Facility">{{cite web|title=Buccoo Goat Race Festival|url=http://buccoobeachfacility.com/buccoo-goat-race-festival/|publisher=Buccoo Beach Facility|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910140534/http://buccoobeachfacility.com/buccoo-goat-race-festival/|accessdate=19 October 2020|archive-date=2014-09-10}}</ref>
<ref name="Tobago News">{{cite journal|last=Phillips |first=Andre |title=Goat Racing - a pathway to development |journal=Tobago News: Covering Tobago with Precise Detail |date=Mar 3, 2013 |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/opinion/Goat-Racing----a-pathway-to-development-194624821.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710030248/http://www.thetobagonews.com/opinion/Goat-Racing----a-pathway-to-development-194624821.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2013 |accessdate=9 July 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="Crab and Goat Race">{{cite news|last=Cupid|first=Carl E.|title=Crab and Goat Race in Buccoo|url=http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,139667.html|accessdate=10 July 2013|newspaper=Newsday|date=April 28, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="Uganda">{{cite web|title=History |url=http://thegoatraces.com/history.html |work=Royal Ascot Goat Races |accessdate=16 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208124457/http://thegoatraces.com/history.html |archivedate=8 December 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="BBC Travel">{{cite web|title=Uganda's Famous Goat Races|url=http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20120822-worldwide-weird-ugandas-famous-goat-races|work=The Passport Blog: Worldwide Weird|publisher=BBC Travel|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="Tanzania">{{cite web|title=About Us |url=http://www.goatraces.com/index-1.html |work=Goat Races |accessdate=16 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007004247/http://goatraces.com/index-1.html |archivedate=7 October 2013 }}</ref><ref name="WDL">{{cite web |url={{wdl|2807}} |title=Goat Racing |work=World Digital Library |date=1980 |accessdate=8 July 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="UK">{{cite web|title=The Oxford & Cambridge Goat Race|url=http://www.thegoatrace.org/|work=The Goat Race|accessdate=16 July 2013|archive-date=17 July 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130717085054/http://www.thegoatrace.org/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Falmouth">{{cite web|title=Falmouth Goat Race|url=http://falmouthgoatrace.org/|work=Falmouth Civic Association|accessdate=16 July 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="Sly Fox">{{cite web|title=Annual Bock Fest & Goat Race @ Phoenixville |url=http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/index.php/front/calendar_details/1147 |work=Events Calendar |publisher=Sly Fox Brewhouse & Eatery |accessdate=16 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930140430/http://www.slyfoxbeer.com/index.php/front/calendar_details/1147 |archivedate=30 September 2015 }}</ref>
<ref name="Tobago Hot Spots">{{cite web |title=Goat Racing |url=http://www.tobagohotspots.com/content/goat-racing |publisher=Tobago Hot Spots |accessdate=9 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427144154/http://www.tobagohotspots.com/content/goat-racing |archivedate=27 April 2013 }}</ref>
<ref name="Travel & Tourism">{{cite web|title=Goat and Crab Race Festival|url=http://www.discover-tt.net/travel_and_tourism/goat_and_crab_race_festival.html|work=Travel and Tourism|publisher=Discover TT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318065507/http://www.discover-tt.net/travel_and_tourism/goat_and_crab_race_festival.html|accessdate=19 October 2020|archive-date=2013-03-18}}</ref>
<ref name="Goat Race Derby">{{cite news|last=Williams |first=Elizabeth |title=Goat Race Derby |url=http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/Goat_race_derby_coming-147267755.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130710134702/http://www.thetobagonews.com/news/Goat_race_derby_coming-147267755.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 10, 2013 |accessdate=10 July 2013 |newspaper=Tobago News: Covering Tobago with Precise Detail |date=Apr 12, 2012 }}</ref>
<ref name="NALIS">{{cite web |title=Tobago Heritage Festival |url=http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TobagoHeritageFestival/tabid/564/Default.aspx |work=National Library of Trinidad and Tobago |publisher=National Library and Information System Authority |accessdate=8 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703143838/http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Research/SubjectGuide/TobagoHeritageFestival/tabid/564/Default.aspx |archivedate=3 July 2013 }}</ref> }}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130820114417/http://tha.gov.tt/divisions/tourism-a-transportation Tobago House of Assembly, Division of Tourism & Transportation]
{{Navboxes |title = Articles related to Trinidad and Tobago |list = {{Trinidad and Tobago topics|state=uncollapsed}} }}
Category:Animal racing Category:Goats