Tobago Goat Race ( Easter Tuesday)

So its Easter weekend and yuh wandering what to do in Tobago..

Well the annual beach lime in Tobago... packed with visitors both local and mostly foreign with lifted car trunks, food and drinks with a  healthy amount of sea bathing is a norm

However the highlight of the Easter weekend is actually on the Tuesday after Easter Monday

The destination is the Buccoo Integrated facility where the traditional goat and now crab race events takes place... The excitement is as riveting as the competition for prizes

Buccoo Integrated Facility

This unique event started over 80 years ago, where goat racing was a response to the colonial class’ pastime of racing thoroughbred horses in Trinidad.

competing goats and their bare footed jokey, rope in hand ( running along side!) race in SERIOUS AMUSEMENT and crowd encouragement  to the finish line a few yards down from the starting gates!

Goat Racing in Tobago

Make no joke this is a serious business for the owners, trainers, jockeys and those who place unofficial bets. The event has all  the trappings of a typical horse racing meet – stables, trainers, live commentators – except that the “jockeys” have to run alongside their steeds.

Goats transported at back of Truck to Buccoo Integrated Facility

Special training for the goats months in advance is a normal part of the preparation including special diets (oats, vitamins, pigeon peas for iron) and training to build Stamina such as taking the goats swimming.

The racing goats are decked out in colorful  coats as impressive as any knighted stallion

The crab race, require jockeys to use short length of string to guide the competing crabs toward a checkered flag. Patience and technique are crucial to success here.

Of course Crab and Dumplings is a Tobago favorite, just saying...