GBGB PUBLISHES FULL OPEN RACE CALENDAR FOR 2025 AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
GBGB has today published its Open Race calendar for 2025, again ahead of schedule, giving Owners and Trainers more time to plan for the racing year ahead.
A comprehensive approach to planning of Category One and Two events has helped to provide a full roadmap for the third consecutive year, and better facilitates existing events while managing potential clashes.
Working in collaboration with tracks, sponsors and promoters, this joined-up approach has maintained the number of Category One competitions around the country, creating an even spread across each of the sport’s categories.
Racing operations executive Scott Harvey said: “The action on the track this year has been nothing short of sensational, and we are all still drawing breath from Druids Say Go’s run in the Oaks, Droopys Clue’s historic defence of his St Leger crown, and the wonderful Wicky Ned landing a third Cat One title in a thriller from Links Maverick in the Steel City Cup at Sheffield just a few weeks ago.
“Watching Ned on his exciting journey from puppy status highlights exactly why youngsters should be given every opportunity at top-flight success. So, in 2025, there will be a Cat One Puppy competition every month, excluding January, and May and June when the Star Sports & TRC Greyhound Derby takes centre stage.”
Harvey also confirmed that the Cat One Juvenile Classic at Towcester and Oxford Puppy Collar, which did not go ahead this year due to a lack of sponsor, are set to return in 2025.
Next year’s open race schedule increases to 55 Cat One events from 54 and will again feature a series of Super Saturdays, and Sundays, giving racegoers the chance to get up close to the big race action to maximise attendance.
Harvey added: “Getting a Category One list as structured and as varied as this out now has been made possible by tracks and promoters working in collaboration. It also allows Trainers to plan properly for the year ahead and identify the best opportunities for their greyhounds.
“We think the schedule offers a comprehensive programme and, if next year’s open race action is half as good as this year’s, we should have plenty to look forward to.”