Ya’ll — your whole world is about to be complete. You may not have realized you were missing something, but lemme tell you! Whip out your keyboard and Google “Pig Derby near me.” We have a video below, but this is something you’ll want to experience in real life.
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Vicarious video viewing will give you an idea of what to expect, but it hits different when you’re in the stands cheering on your favorite little pig derby racer.
The racers stood ready at the starting gate. The announcer began, “We’re going on the bell.” A few seconds later, the bell sounds, and the announcer continues: “There it is, and here comes the second round of racers. Looks like number eight, Ricky Hoggy, is taking a strong lead. They’re putting on the gas coming up to the first hurdle. Whoa, Sloppy Joe flying ahead! Wow!”
Race day consists of qualifying rounds, or heats. After all the qualifying rounds, the winners of each face each other in a championship round. The little pigs are juveniles who are owned and trained by All-Alaskan Racing Pigs. The business travels throughout the Pacific Northwest, running the pig derby for festivals, fairs, and other events. On this day, they were at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, California. They will sponsor races at that location from September 6 through November 9, 2025.
The course is a 50-yard hurdle and a 100-yard dash. Each race consists of four Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs. The breed is distinctive for its white body with black spots. Juveniles begin race training at around 10 weeks old. The “travel team” consists of ten pigs, with eight for daily racing and two spares.
Consciousness Disclaimer For Pig Derby Races
We must state that animal rights activists are against the pig derby racing. PETA claims it is animal cruelty. We are not experts on either end of the argument, and each individual must use their own judgment. The sport is very popular as a fundraising tool.
Races are held four times per day at most venues. The pigs receive proper daily care, veterinary care, regular feeding, and treats for races. Normal “natural” weaning occurs between 10 and 12 weeks. All juvenile pigs participating in pig derby racing are weaned before training begins. The vendors providing race services have a vested interest in maintaining the safety and health of their racers. Pigs are used for one season of racing and then placed on farms, petting zoos, or in other suitable homes.
If a pig derby is something you would enjoy, find one in your local area and plan a trip.
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You can find the source of this story’s featured image here.
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