| Where: | Formerly in London at Spitalfields City Farm on Buxton street, E1 |
| When: | Formerly a Sunday in late March or early April |
| Time: | Formerly Race around 4pm with entertainments from noon |
If messing around on the river really isn’t your thing, the City Farm at Spitalfields offered an alternative to the University Boat Race. The Oxford v. Cambridge Goat Race was always held on the same afternoon as the waterborne equivalent, between a pair of caprines (yes I checked and this is the official word for goats, as bovines are cows and ovines are sheep) who represented the venerable educational establishments in a gallop for an edible trophy. Real betting was available on the outcome, and there was a variety of goat-themed entertainment on offer during the preamble to the big event.
Helpful Hints
There are no plans for future goat races, both for logistical reason ns and because the farm’s goats are getting too long in the tooth for racing. Other events will be planned for the farm, so I’ll be checking to see if any turn into annual traditions of the future.
Entry was by ticket only (to limit numbers to avoid spooking the thoroughbreds) which may be bought in advance, from £17.50 (2020 prices)
Click here for the Farm website: https://www.spitalfieldscityfarm.org
And here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/spitalfieldscityfarm/
Photo by Ben Mason.
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