Land of the donkeys... 53rd derby is today

The 53rd derby will take place today from 12.30pm until 8.30pm at Saumarez Park, with races starting at 1pm.

The donkeys for this year’s races arrived from Guildford on Thursday evening and had a ‘rest day’ yesterday ahead of the derby.

They were held in a field at L’Eree before being brought to the showground this morning ahead of the afternoon’s races.

Alex Fisher, the owner of Dashing Donkeys, has been bringing her drove of donkeys to the island for the Donkey Derby since she took the business over eight years ago, though there were three years out due to the pandemic.

All of the donkeys are race donkeys and have been for generations.

‘Their parents would have done it and it has been passed through to them and taught them when they were young,’ she said.

‘Even our donkeys that we rescue learn from each other.’

Preparations for the derby have been going well.

‘We marked it all out last night and have been putting up the infrastructure ahead of today,’ said Rob Holder, president of the Lions Club.

As well as the donkey races there will be stalls at the event and entertainment from local buskers in the beer tent.

‘We would like to say thank- you to all the donkey and race sponsors, the John Ramplin Trust and everyone else who has supported the Donkey Derby,’ said Mr Holder.

Entry is free, with parking for £5 at Home Farm, which will be signposted.

Although most of the stalls will accept card payments, the tote will be cash only, with a minimum bet of 50p.