THE AUSTRALIAN Basset Hound Races will be held at Mornington Green in Somerville on 7 November.
The free event will be full of fun races, where spectators can watch basset hounds wear toy jockeys and compete.
Julie Lehmann said she thought of the idea at 3am six years ago.
“We’re just a group of people that love their basset hounds, and I came up with a weird, quirky idea,” said Lehmann.
“I thought we could put jockeys on the basset hounds and do races.”
The event has happened annually since, and Lehmann said everyone who attends thoroughly enjoys the day.
“The fun thing is the lovable nature of bassets; they don’t always go straight because it’s a fun race and it’s not to be taken seriously,” said Lehmann.
“The bassets may socialise on the track, or they may run towards their owner at the finish line.”
She said the best part is watching the dogs running down the track.
“There are bits flying everywhere as they run, you know, you’ve got their ears flapping, and you’ve got the folds of skin flying,” said Lehmann.
Lehmann said there will be around 60 basset hounds competing on the day, with entries from interstate.
“Our basset races are unique; there is a race in America called Canterbury Races, but they don’t have jockeys, and we haven’t heard of any other basset hound races elsewhere overseas,” said Lehmann.
There are around eight races, a children’s race, and then second-chance races, where the basset hounds compete for a wild card to run against the winners from the first eight races.
“It brings the best out of people, and one lady that we didn’t know said that it was the best day, even better than her wedding day,” said Lehmann.
“The public just loves it, and it’s free, and it’s just a fun day.”
The event is sponsored by A La Carte Pet Food and Knose Pet Insurance, who are providing gifts and prizes.
It costs $2 to enter a basset hound in the competition, which goes towards the trophy and ribbons.
Anyone is welcome to attend the event at Mornington Green, 125 Tyabb-Tooradin Rd, Somerville on 7 November.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 October 2026
