Summer is just around the corner, and as the nights get longer and warmer, now is the perfect time to enjoy an action-packed night at the races with your friends or work colleagues.
Luckily, there are plenty of major finals to look forward to over the summer months — with punters already scouring the best betting sites, like this one; https://www.betdaq.com/exchange/greyhound-racing-100008, in a bid to find the best odds.
So, with that in mind, read on as we take a look at the big greyhound races to keep an eye out for this summer.
25 June: The English Greyhound Derby
After the recent Kent St Leger at Crayford on 21 May, the Category One schedule is completely clear until 25 June — when the prestigious English Greyhound Derby will take center stage at the picturesque Towcester racecourse in Northamptonshire.
In the premier race of the season, every owner and trainer makes it their career goal to win the £175,000 contest — with Belgian Patrick Janssens achieving that dream thanks to Thorn Falcon’s success last year.
The early rounds of this year’s Derby have already taken place, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final set to thrill greyhound racing fans over the course of next month. Pat Buckley’s Ballinaboola Ed is currently being heavily backed in the greyhound tips.
30 July: Sussex Cup and Regency
There is more than a month until the next Category One final following the Derby, but it’s worth the wait for racegoers as two headlines the same night at Brighton & Hove Stadium on the south coast — the Sussex Cup and Regency.
Inaugurated in 1972, the Sussex Cup is worth £10,000 to the winner and is contested over a modest 515m, while the Regency — formed in1948 and also worth £10k — is raced over a much longer distance of 695m.
9 August: 3 Steps to Victory
One of the more unique contests on the greyhound racing calendar, 3 Steps to Victory is like no other race. First, run in 2003, the event takes place at Owlerton Stadium in Sheffield and is contested over three different categories — really testing a dog’s ability.
The first round and semi-final take place over 480m and 500m, respectively, which is more a test of speed than anything else. But the trip for the final is upped to a grueling 660m, meaning the entries must have the stamina of a stayer as well as the speed of a shorter-distance greyhound.
27 August: Gold Cup and Summer Stayers Classic
The Category One schedule becomes a bit manic at the end of August, with four major finals within the space of three days. The highlight of those, though, is the Gold Cup and Summer Stayers Classic at Monmore Green on 27 August.
Revived in 1994, the Midland Gold Cup is a 480m worth £10,000 to the winner, while the Summer Stayers Classic — which will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this year — is contested over 630m and boasts a smaller prize purse of £7,500.
The Towcester Marathon will take place at the Northamptonshire course on 28 August, with the Northern Puppy Classic rounding off the month at Nottingham on the 29th.
