With greyhound racing banned across most of the United States, chances for speedy canines to compete are thin on the ground.
But Charlotte has its own unique race that looks set to become an annual event, with the inaugural 2023 edition so well received.
The Charlotte Corgi Club will be hosting its Racing Championship on May 4, with this unique breed once again given the chance to strut their stuff at Reedy Creek Park.
Four-Legged Festival
In the UK and Ireland, dog racing is still a popular sporting pastime, with major races like the English Greyhound Derby commanding prize money for the winner in excess of $200,000.
The sport is popular with dog lovers and bettors alike, with many a greyhound racing betting site offering odds for the big races like The Derby – patriots may want to back King Memphis (+1600) for the 2024 edition over fellow favorite Links Maverick.
It’s a far cry from the dog racing scene in America, where many states have now outlawed the sport – at the time of writing, only two tracks in West Virginia at the Wheeling Island Hotel and the Mardi Gras Casino Resort are legal and operational.
Have you caught a live #greyhound race lately? No matter how many races you’ve seen, the sport never gets old. Check out the live #racing schedule & get to the track today => https://t.co/ussjxDfvzI pic.twitter.com/NAZvMJDT43
— Wheeling Island Casino (@WheelingCasino) March 26, 2022
Greyhound racing was a sport first established in the U.S. as far back as 1912, with tracks in California and Florida particularly popular with enthusiasts. The sport never made it to North Carolina, so a hop over the border to West Virginia was required to see these fine animals in action.
With the easing of the law on sports betting in North Carolina, there’s a chance to bet on racing in West Virginia too courtesy of the sportsbook properties that opened their doors in March.
By Royal Appointment
But if you prefer your canine kicks more laidback, you can head down to Reedy Creek Park for what we might label a ‘royal appointment’.
The corgi was the favored breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who it’s believed owned 30 different corgis during her 70-year reign on the throne in the UK – even appearing on the cover of Vanity Fair with her beloved dogs by her side, while a commemorative gold coin celebrating the monarch’s Golden Jubilee featuring her corgis has been minted.
From the #VFArchive: The private history of Queen Elizabeth’s beloved corgis and the essential role the pups have played in her reign. https://t.co/6qRMaa200P
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) September 9, 2022
Although boasting smaller legs than greyhounds, corgis can still cover the ground quickly and made for quite a sight at the inaugural Charlotte Corgi Club Racing Championship last year.
That 2023 edition offered up all manner of entertainment alongside the races, including live music and food trucks, so the 2024 event will likely prove to be another successful event for all the family.
The Charlotte Corgi Club will also soon be publishing details of how owners can enter their pets into the day’s races, so if your corgi has shown a quick turn of speed in the past then maybe this could be their calling.
The event, which will take place at the Rocky River Road park, is free to all – the perfect opportunity to see some cute corgis in all their glory!
