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Pakistan’s donkey derby

Donkey-cart racing took place in Karachi as part of Sindh Festival featuring 50 donkeys offering cash prizes for winners

The Donkey Deby was held as part of the Sindh Festival organised by the provincial government.
Published On 8 Feb 2014

It was a field day for the donkey-cart racers in Pakistan’s coastal city of Karachi where, as part of the province’s Sindh Festival, 50 donkeys took part in an organised race.

With unique and creative names, the donkeys raced for cash prizes and shields, cheered by a huge crowd despite the event taking place on a weekday.

According to one racer, it costs around $10 to feed his donkey on a daily basis, the amount not easy to part with for most.

“We don’t eat almonds and pistachios but our donkeys do, which is why they win races for us and earn us all this respect,” said one of the participants.

 

The race was held near the coast in Karachi and featured 50 donkeys, with all the participants coming from the southern town of Lyari.
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There was a lot of creativity on show with donkeys named Chingari (spark), FIR, Computer, Dumper, Ziddi (stubborn) and 5217 Jan ka Khatra (Danger to life).
Most participants were just happy to be there racing on wide, open roads.
Every rider wore white trousers and a helmet, and had their rides numbered so the organisers could keep track.
Five donkeys raced each other in the first round with the winner progressing to the next round. There were a few ties so eight donkeys raced in the final.
Uthal Bela took the overall honours, finishing first in the final. Dumper and Rani Khaith completed the podium with all three earning cash prizes and shields.
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"We don(***)t eat almonds and pistachios but our donkeys do, which is why they win races for us and earn us all this respect," a participant told The Express Tribune.