The dates for the 2021 English Greyhound Derby have been revised to the following:-
First Round Friday 11th & Saturday 12th June
Second Round Friday 18th & Saturday 19th June
Third Round Saturday 26th June
Quarters Saturday 3rd July
Semis Saturday 10th July
Final Saturday 17th July
Towcester contacted the GBGB on Wednesday to seek permission to change the dates and are pleased to announce that the GBGB/ORPC have approved the new dates.
“With the recent UK lockdown imposed and then the subsequent news of the vaccine rollout we asked to delay the start of the Derby in order to give everybody the best opportunity to attend the Final weekend” said Towcester spokesman Nathan Corden.
“It is hoped that we will be able to open our doors to as many people as possible by delaying the start for 6 weeks. We are fully aware that we will now be going head to head with the football during some of the earlier rounds but we will embrace it and promise to put on top quality racing as well as entertainment. We are grateful to the ORPC for their understanding.”
Amanda Duplock, GBGB Racing Committee Secretary, said:“The Committee appreciates Towcester’s ambition for this year’s Derby and our hope is that this revised schedule, which pushes the start of the competition back by six weeks, will enable more spectators to attend and enjoy the action live.
“Now that the dates have been set for the Derby, the pivotal point of the open race year, GBGB will move forward with the process for scheduling the full 2021 open race calendar.”
