A Night at the Goat Races

Last night, the Alendo Cricket Club hosted their annual fundraising goat race. It's a pretty big fixture in the Lilongwe social calendar. The Malawian Royal Ascot, you could say. 

There was everything you would hope for from a big racing fixture - a paddock where you could admire the goats; ladies with hats; photo-finishes; tote-betting. The lot. There were eight races in all, with the most alert goats being selected as the runners. I reckon I broke even by the end of the night.

To keep the goats focused on reaching the finish line, they were herded around the course by a troop of Malawian handlers.

In the paddock, pre-race

Rounding the final bend

Goats racing

A woman in a hat

The evening ended with a perfectly dignified girl race. No herding was required.

Girl race