The Boat Race was not the only contest that Cambridge won this weekend.  A few miles away, at Spitalfields City Farm, the Light Blues were also victorious in the annual Oxford vs. Cambridge Goat Race.

Bramble, the goat representing Cambridge, dashed to the finish line with a final time of 1 min 14 seconds, winning the race for Cambridge for the second year running.

The annual event, now in its second year, is held to raise money for the Spitalfields City Farm Charity.

A spokeswoman from Spitalfields City Farm told Varsity that the event made “a huge difference” both financially and in raising the profile of the farm, which is tucked away at the back of Brick Lane in the East End of London.

The proceeds from the race help to feed the animals, an expense for which the farm struggles to receive funding.

The Goat Race was supported this year by Delamere Dairy, the UK’s leading goats’ milk dairy. Delamere has promised to sponsor the winning goat.

According to Liz Sutton, Managing Director at Delamere, “We’re really excited to be involved in a fun event that helps raise awareness for a brilliant farm charity that values the importance of animal welfare.”

The result may not have come as much of a surprise for avid followers of the event. According to some reports, Bentley, the Oxford goat, had been experiencing health problems that may have prevented him from giving his best performance.

Speaking to Varsity days before the race, Helen Galland, Farm Animal Manager at Spitalfields, had explained that “Bentley had a bit of tummy problems but has made a full recovery and is hoping to be back in shape for the weekend. He lost last year so now there is a lot of honour at stake to try and make up, especially as he doesn’t want to be beaten by a girl.”

The race is the second straight loss for Bentley. It will be interesting to see if he is chosen to represent Oxford on the cobbled track for a third time or whether he will make way for a slightly stronger competitor.

This year's race was especially fierce considering that Bentley and Bramble are twins. The goats’ long-held sibling rivalry has been called “a compelling psychodrama” by Spitalfields Life, a blog about life in the East End neighbourhood.

Visitors to the Goat Race this year were able to place a bet at the Goat Race’s official bookie, enjoy the tunes of DJ Pigsnoots, take part in a goatee knitting competition, and get the chance to buy goat’s milk Easter Eggs all before the race began.

Delamere donated a hamper of goat goodies to the raffle. The dairy were also offering free vouchers to try their goats’ milk, which reportedly carries many health and nutritional benefits.

Caroline Horton, spokeswoman for Delamere, told Varsity that they are “hoping to raise awareness of the health benefits of goats’ milk”, a common alternative for the one in six who suffer from a cow dairy allergy.

She added that the Goat Race “is one of many fun events” that the dairy, now in its twenty-fifth year, is involved in to celebrate their anniversary.

For more information about the Goat Race and this year’s winner, go to: http://www.thegoatrace.org/