Frog Racing

An extract from the book 40 Humourous British Traditions

The racing of frogs is taken seriously in Kent. The piece de resistance is the Frog Derby in Bexley Heath on the third Saturday of June, which has been run since 1731.

The Frog Derby is run over an undulating course of 400 yards on the downs. At 9 a.m. 50 racing frogs are placed on the starting line by their trainers. Each frog is marked with a number so they can be identified. At 9 a.m. the starter shouts “frogs hop off” and the race begins.

The frogs must reach the finish line under their own power. The entire race course is cordoned off and no humans can enter this area during the race. This prevents trainers walking along in front of their frog with an enticing fly hanging on a string. This happened in 1782 when Josiah Smethhurst “coursed” his frog Bathsheba to the finish. Despite a protest from Toby Farquarson, the trainer of the Royal Racing Frog, Bonaparte, the result stood but the rules were changed to prevent it happening again. Trainers can place a carrot or other enticing tidbit at the finishing line for the frog to aim at but that’s all that’s allowed.