Full List of Runners & Riders:
1 Roundwood Gallops – Richard & Lawrie
2 Delilah – Keith & Fiona
3 Game Old Trotters – Jane & Jan
4 Albie Rasta – Sarah & Rachel
5 Coming Up The Rear – Richard & Andrew
6 Ferndale Filly – Terry & Sara
7 Football Fanatics – Thomas & James
8 Blossom – Karen & Lisa
9 Shirgar – Jonathan & Rebecca
10 Little & Large – Nigel & Mia
The pride of mid Wales thoroughbred ‘pantomime’ race horses turned out for the 2024 Llangunllo Pantomime Horse Derby on Saturday, July 27th. Oh yes they did! It’s the first time since 2019 that this particular Derby has been run and it was well worth the wait
Each horse was distinctive by their colours, grey, brown, yellow, blue, red and others.
After the registration and weigh in outside the Greyhound Inn, the runners and riders were all set and led the way to the race course which was kindly loaned for the day by Mr Haydn Jones of Lower Bailey, Llangunllo.
The horses were paraded around the ring and introduced by commentator Phil Price in front of a very excited and enthusiastic crowd. A best dressed horse was chosen from the runners and the winner was ‘Ferndale Filly‘ complete with hoofing sounds made by a couple of coconut shells. Owned and trained by Terry & Sara, the horse was resplendent in a pale blue colour.
There were two qualifying races with the first three horses from each race going through to the final. As can be seen from the video, there was some skulduggery going on amongst the horses during the run up to the races. I think they call it horse play! It was obvious from the qualifying rounds that some of the horses would be best put out to pasture, but no names will be mentioned.
The final race was between the following 6 horses:
Delilah — Fiona & Keith
Football Fanatics — James & Thomas
Little & Large — Nigel & Mia
Shirgar — Jonathan & Rebecca
Coming Up The Rear — Richard & Andrew
Albie Rasta — Sarah & Rachel
‘Coming Up The Rear‘ led the field from the start although ‘Delilah‘ put up a heck of a challenge to try and take the lead. By the end of the first lap, there were really only three horses in with a chance of first place ‘Coming Up The Rear‘, ‘Delilah‘ and ‘Little & Large‘. Despite the earlier efforts of ‘Football Fanatics‘ in the qualifying rounds, they were a little worn out for the final, (especially as they played the football competition in the interval) and also I had my money on with them being the winners. That’s a fiver down the drain! One final effort by ‘Delilah‘ at the home turn was not enough to stop ‘Coming Up The Rear‘ as worthy champions of the ‘2024 Klippity Klopp Llangunllo Pantomime Horse Derby Trophy‘ (I’d love to see that engraved on the award!) I think Shirgar maybe the subject of a Stewards Enquiry, nearly causing mayhem on the course by going the wrong way after completing the first lap.
The final result was:
1st [5] Coming Up The Rear Richard & Andrew
2nd [2] Delilah Keith & Fiona
3rd [10] Little & Large Nigel & Mia
4th [7] Football Fanatics James & Thomas
5th [4] Albie Rasta Sarah & Rachel
Unplaced [9] Shirgar Jonathan & Rebecca
I’m pleased to report there were no injuries to any of the horses. In fact, they all went back to the Greyhound Inn to enjoy a bbq and live music for the rest of the afternoon.
Words: Trev Jones Videos: Trev & Debbie Jones Photos: Trev & Debbie Jones – Michael & Shirley Brown
