Jockeys set to race donkeys for first time when racegoers celebrate Queens Diamond Jubilee at Beverley.
While The Queen enjoys a spot of horseracing to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee, East Yorkshire folk are also being encouraged to commemorate the special occasion with some racing – of the donkey variety!
The Queen is set to attend the Epsom Derby on Saturday, June 2, as part of the central weekend of the Jubilee celebrations. Meanwhile, Beverley Racecourse is hosting its very own British Derby Day, featuring donkey racing for the first time ever at the popular racing and events venue.
Professional jockeys, who are more familiar with flying past the winning post on horses at Beverley, will find themselves out of their comfort zones at the family focused event when they are asked to swap their usual equine friends for donkeys. The donkey derby will take place in addition to the usual racing, which starts with the first race at 1.50pm.
Jockey Dale Swift, who is taking part on the day, said:
“It will certainly be interesting to race a donkey, instead of a horse, for the first time. I am very much looking forward to the event, it will undoubtedly be good fun and let’s hope I can turn my hand to getting a donkey over the finishing line first.”
The Derby Day will be a real treat for patriotic racegoers looking to really embrace the spirit of the Jubilee celebrations, as they will also be able to enjoy an array of other traditional British themed features on the day including stands selling strawberries and cream, Pimms, afternoon tea and good old fish and chips. There will also be fairground rides to enjoy on the day, a jazz trio and donkey rides after the donkeys have taken part in the derby.
Sally Iggulden, chief executive of Beverley Racecourse, said:
“We decided to join in with some of the other fabulous Diamond Jubilee celebratory events that are taking place across the country that weekend, and turn our usual Derby Day into a Very British Derby Day!
“We usually have around 5,000 guests at this race meeting, but have made arrangements for many more this year, as we expect this to be a very popular event and we have already had a lot of interest.
“The donkey derby should add a really fun dimension to our traditional British themed race day and we hope plenty of families will come along and share in our celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee.”
