Oxford Stadium confirms Category One schedule for 2023, including Pall Mall return in July!
A bumper programme of Category One greyhound racing has been scheduled at Oxford Stadium, including the return of the prestigious Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall in July.
First ran in 1935, the Pall Mall celebrates its 73rd staging this year following an 11-year absence for the competition which coincided with the Cowley venue’s closure between 2012 and 2022.
Twenty-four greyhounds will contest this year’s event, which carries a first prize of £10,000 to the winner of the Grand Final due to be held on Saturday, July 29.
Also confirmed later in the year is the Racing Post Greyhound TV Cowley Puppy Collar in October and the bet365 Challenge Cup in December.
English Greyhound Derby ante-post favourite FromPostToPillar was triumphant in the Puppy Collar seven months ago before Chelms Cub landed the inaugural Challenge Cup to round off the stadium’s launch year.
Oxford Stadium Managing Director Kevin Boothby said reinstalling the Pall Mall to the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) Category One calendar was a no-brainer.
“The Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall is one of greyhound racing’s most recognisable and historic competitions, so restoring it to the sport as part of Oxford’s reopening was never in doubt,” said Kevin.
“We’re also pleased to confirm the return of the RPGTV Cowley Puppy Collar and bet365 Challenge Cup – two new Category One competitions which were a great success as part of our regeneration year.
“I know a lot of owners and trainers fortunate to be working with greyhounds of outstanding ability on track are already eyeing up the Pall Mall as a potential target this summer, and we’re confident of attracting some of the sport’s biggest names.
“The Pall Mall is greyhound racing at its very best and Oxford Stadium is the perfect venue to write a new chapter in the competition’s history.”
Previous winners of the Pall Mall include English Greyhound Derby champions Rushton Mac (1954), Pigalle Wonder (1958) and Tico (1986).
Mile Bush Pride (1959) is regarded as the most decorated Pall Mall champion. He remains one of only three greyhounds in history to have won the English, Scottish and Welsh Greyhound Derby in the same year.
Tickets, hospitality and restaurant packages for this year’s Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall are available to book online now by clicking here.
Oxford Stadium Category One schedule 2023:
Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall
Round One – Saturday, July 15.
Semi Finals – Saturday, July 22.
Grand Final – Saturday, July 29.
Defending champion: You Mind Me (26.89 seconds). 2012.
Racing Post Greyhound TV Cowley Puppy Collar
Round One – Friday, October 13.
Semi Finals – Friday, October 20.
Grand Final – Friday, October 27.
Defending champion: FromPostToPillar (26.89 seconds).
Bet365 Challenge Cup
Round One – Friday, December 8.
Semi Finals – Friday, December 15.
Grand Final – Friday, December 22.
