Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2018 | Page 686

Photo Credit: www.tha.gov.tt
Goat Racing
at Buccoo
You should consider visiting Tobago during
the Easter season. You’ll definitely be in for a
treat, one of which will be the opportunity to
watch a goat race. Patterned after horse racing,
goats with the guidance of their trainer, race
against each other like horses do. The first
race of this kind was organized by Barbadian
Samuel Callender in 1925. At that time, horse
racing, attended only by the wealthy, was held
on Easter Monday. Tuesday was the day the
goat races took place which the not-so-wealthy
attended. It was dubbed Easter Tuesday and the
goat races, the poor man’s horse race. finish line. Some goats have minds of their
own, disregarding the destination and instead
attempting to head off to imaginary finish lines.
Eruptions of profund laughter from the over
3,000 spectators ultimately ensues.
Today, these goat races are days filled with
fun and laughter. With a rope around the
goat’s neck, trainers/jockeys hold on tightly,
being pulled along behind the goat to the After all the races are done at the end of the
day, the party begins! Music, food, dancing and
community togetherness marks the end of the
day’s events.
Photo Credit: David Knight
Buccoo Bay where this annual event is held, is
a tiny fishing village in Tobago. While driving
through, you will see a somewhat large stadium,
built just for these unique races. Goats are not
the only attraction on Easter Tuesday at Goat
Race Stadium. You will also be able to witness
crab races which has the same format.