THE 12 o’clock race at Cannon Hall Farm is proving to be a big hit with visitors.
Adults and children crowd around the rails of the Cawthorne farm and visitor centre to catch a glimpse of the galloping thoroughbreds as they fly by.
The pure-blooded two-year-olds have quickly gained a reputation for providing excellent entertainment with their fleetness of foot and enthusiasm for racing.
The animals in question are not racehorses, but Anglo Nubian goats, which have become the star attraction since they were introduced to racing this summer.
Their success follows the disappointment of the Kune Kune pigs which refused to run.
Robert Nicholson, whose family have owned Cannon Hall Farm since 1957, said: “The Kune Kune pigs were not athletic enough – they didn’t want to go faster than a walk.
“But the Anglo Nubian goats are very rangy and they look really good when they’re racing, their ears flow in the wind. They are improving all the time, getting faster and fitter.
“And they particularly like the food reward at the finish post.”
Goat racing takes place every day at noon during the school holidays and at weekends during term time.
Visit www.cannonhallfarm.co.uk for details of events.
