SHEFFIELD-based BresBet has been announced once again as sponsor of Owlerton Stadium’s biggest greyhound racing competition – the Steel City Cup.
One of the UK’s newest bookmakers, BresBet has grown its portfolio of partnerships across horse and greyhound racing in 2022 and the BresBet Steel City Cup remains one of the most prestigious events in the greyhound calendar.
First run in 1970, the Steel City Cup has a fantastic roll of honour with its winners including a Greyhound Derby champion in Bandicoot Tipoki (2009) and two Greyhounds of the Year in the form of Desert Pilot (1980) and Droopys Rhys (2002).
Last year’s Steel City Cup champion was the Kevin Hutton-trained Forest Gold for owners Darren Loveys and Mark Hart with kennelmate Signet Ace, himself later becoming Greyhound of the Year for 2021, in third.
The 2022 BresBet Steel City Cup is for 36 greyhounds and begins with heats on Saturday, October 1. The semi-finals take place on Saturday, October 8, with the final the centrepiece of a gala card on Saturday, October 15.
The winner of the GBGB Category One showpiece will take home £8,000 with £1,000 to each of the other finalists in the 500m annual.
BresBet managing director David Perry was for many years venue director at Owlerton Stadium and is delighted to continue the partnership with the South Yorkshire track, which has recently undergone a £400,000 track refit.
“They have completely relaid the track and the surface looks magnificent,” said Perry, whose brother Carl is a former greyhound trainer and now BresBet’s head of trading.
Perry added: “Owlerton is very much part of our family’s history and it’s great to be back again for this sponsorship local to our head office.”
Andrew Mascarenhas, director of racing at Owlerton Stadium, said: “We have completed a full track replacement along with improvements to sand profiles, drainage and equipment and these enhancements underline our commitment to greyhound welfare.
“Greyhound welfare remains at the heart of our sport and these enhancements show our constant commitment and dedication towards the safety and welfare of the greyhounds taking part in the sport – and who have been running here since 1932.
“We are delighted that BresBet are continuing their support of the stadium by sponsoring our most prestigious competition, the Steel City Cup.
“We are looking forward to another great event. As ever, the Steel City Cup will be of the highest standard and hugely competitive – as was the case last year, in which a future Greyhound of the Year in Signet Ace featured behind his kennelmate Forest Gold.
“BresBet very much led the way in ensuring their competitions offered a minimum £1,000 for finalists in the Cat Ones they sponsor. Other tracks and sponsors have now followed suit which is a real boost for owners and trainers.”
