Graded racing is set for a boost in December as GBGB today confirmed that each track will be asked to stage an Owners’ Bonus Winter series for greyhounds on their graded strength.
The “Owners’ Bonus Series” races, which have been developed by the GBGB Racing Committee, will be funded from money secured by the committee to support racing at graded level. This will enable tracks to each stage gala meetings across 24 graded races, aimed to benefit as many owners and trainers as possible.
Each event will feature:
- Extra prize money of £50 to the winner, and £10 extra to also rans, in addition to the track’s existing prize money for that grade over 24 races.
- A trophy will be provided for each of the races for the connections of the winning greyhound.
The grades of each event will be determined by the track’s Racing Office depending on dog strength to ensure competitive racing, and to cover as many grades as possible. These races cannot be Opens or Inter Track races. Where greyhounds owned by Racecourse Executives, Track Owners, Senior Management and/or their spouses, partners or children at the same track are taking part in the enhanced prize money races, they will forfeit the additional prize money.
Each Owners’ Bonus Series event will be held at customer-facing meetings on evenings or weekends where possible to maximise opportunities for owners to attend.
Scott Harvey, Racing Operations Executive at GBGB, said:
“This additional funding towards graded racing will help provide a highlight at each track during the festive period. We’ve had a busy schedule of open race competitions already this year and this is a good opportunity to support and reward racing at a more local level. The Owners’ Bonus Series brings people together and puts graded racing in the spotlight.”
Owners’ Bonus Series Winter event dates – December 2023
Central Park Sunday 24th and Wednesday 27th
Crayford Saturday 9th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th
Doncaster Sunday 10th and Monday 11th
Harlow Friday 29th and Sunday 31st
Henlow Saturday 9th and Saturday 16th
Hove Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd
Kinsley Wednesday 13th and Friday 15th
Monmore Thursday 21st and Saturday 23rd
Nottingham Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th, Friday 29th
Newcastle Saturday 9th and Tuesday 12th
Oxford Saturday 16th and Monday 18th
Pelaw Grange Sunday 17th, 24th and 31st
Perry Barr Thursday 28th and Saturday 30th
Romford Saturday 23rd AM and PM
Sheffield Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd
Sunderland Friday 1st and Sunday 3rd
Suffolk Downs Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th
Swindon Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd
Towcester Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th
Yarmouth Saturday 23rd and Tuesday 26th