Prestigious Greyhound Races 3d215f

ENGLISH GREYHOUND DERBY - Is the highest profile and most prestigious classic in the greyhound racing calendar, with a rich history dating back to 1927. At present the six-round competition is run between April and May at Nottingham’s Colwick Park over 500 metres and carries a winner’s purse of £100,000. Trainer Charlie Lister OBE boasts an illustrious record having won the race a remarkable seven times.

 

ENGLISH OAKS – Another of the classics, restricted to bitches, it was also first run at White City back in 1927. Its recent home has been more fluid but it currently takes pride of place at Swindon over 480 metres, carrying prize money to the winner of £15,000.

 

ST LEGER – Run over 6-bends, the St Leger sits as one of the classics alongside both the Derby & Oaks. It’s history dates back to 1928 at White City and with a £15,000 winner’s purse, the event is considered the premier stayer’s competition in the calendar.

 

EAST ANGLIAN DERBY – Takes place at Yarmouth Stadium over 462 metres. Carrying a winner’s prize of £15,000 the event is long-since established as one of the leading greyhound competitions behind the Derby, boasting a rich history. Charlie Lister again with the enviable record of twelve winners of the race.

 

SCOTTISH DERBY – Run over 480 metres at Shawfield, the Scottish Derby is a long-standing classic in the calendar. First run in 1928, the race offers prize money of £20,000, understandably attracting entries from both sides of the Irish sea.

 

SELECT STAKES – Is an invitation race run over Nottingham’s 500 metre distance, usually in July. Six of the best greyhounds are picked by the Greyhound Writers Association to compete in a one-off race. Its history dates back to 1952 and it usually carries winning prize money of £7,500.

 

STEEL CITY CUP – Run over 500 metres at Sheffield’s Owlerton Stadium. The event attracts many of the leading 4-bend stars who do battle over three rounds at the Yorkshire venue for the £10,000 prize. A notable winner of the event coming in the shape of Roxholme Nidge, who landed the race in 2018 & 19.

 

ECLIPSE – Another competition now held at Nottingham, its history dates back to the late 1930’s. Taking place towards the backend of the year, the event run over the standard 500-metre trip attracts the leading 4-bend performers, recent winners including Dorotas Wildcat & Ice on Fire to name but two.

 

JUVENILE – Run annually, the Juvenile is a competition confined to greyhounds still operating in puppy status. An invitational event, in which six of the best youngsters are chosen by the Greyhound Writer’s Association to take place in a one-off race. Its present home is Sheffield, the race taking place over the standard 500-metre trip.

 

GOLDEN JACKET – Features as one of the elite staying competitions in the greyhound calendar. Run over Crayford’s midi 8-bend distance of 714 metres in February, the race has a rich history and carries a winner’s purse of £17,500. One of the most impressive winners in recent years coming in the shape of Patchy’s Kerry in the 2016 renewal.

 

TV TROPHY – Inaugurated in 1952, the TV Trophy is the premier marathon competition of the year, first televised on BBC. It’s roll of honour speaks volume for the significance of the competition, with the most notable of them all being back-to-back winner Scurlogue Champ in the mid 80’s. Now the event switches venues but remains the leading marathon event in the calendar.

 

SCURRY CUP – Established as one of the leading sprint competitions dating back to 1928. With an illustrious history, the event’s recent home has been over Belle Vue’s 260-metre trip. Run during the winter, the 2-bend competition attracts the finest sprinting talent around and has been won by the likes of Walshes Hill & Roxholme Hat in recent years.

 

NATIONAL SPRINT – Run over Nottingham’s 305-metre distance, it is considered one of the elite sprint competitions in the greyhound year. Inaugurated in 1953, the event has and still does attract the finest sprinters from around the country, it’s most decorated winner being back-to-back winner Jimmy Lollie.

 

IRISH GREYHOUND DERBY – Held at Ireland’s premier track Shelbourne Park, the Irish equivalent is the most prestigious race in the Emerald Isles’ calendar, carrying a winner’s purse of €140,000. Taking place between August & September, the event is run over 503 metres and has held an established sponsorship with bookmaker Boylesports since 2014.