Greyhound racing in Britain features a comprehensive range of competitions, distinguished by their levels and types. The significant difference between these competitions lies within the varying allotments of prize money, which collectively amounted to £15,737,122 in a recent year.
Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby is a highlight of the British greyhound racing calendar, promising a handsome winner’s prize of £175,000. Organized annually at Towcester, this six-round competition attracts a massive crowd, driven by approximately 180 entries each year.
In the realm of international greyhound derbies, the Irish Greyhound Derby at Shelbourne Park extends its warm welcome to British greyhounds. However, historical events such as the Scottish Greyhound Derby and Welsh Greyhound Derby ceased operations in 2019 and 1977, respectively. A Northern Irish Derby was briefly introduced in 2010 but didn’t persist.
Greyhound Races by Category
Greyhound races are also categorized by their structure and prize money:
Category One Race: These competitions entail a minimum prize purse of £12,500. Being flexible, these races can span one to four rounds but must be brought to conclusion within a 15-day period, barring exceptional conditions. However, the competition must inevitably wrap up within 18 days. The introduction of Category One Races in the 1990s led to the discontinuation of then-existing classic races.
Category Two Race: These races, offering a minimum prize fund of £5,000, can be organized over one to three rounds but should be concluded within a 15-day span.
Category Three Race: Conducted over one or two rounds within a nine-day period, these races require minimum prize money of £1,000. An option for a single-day staging of these races demands a minimum prize allocation of £500.
| Category | Minimum Prize Money (£) | Maximum Rounds | Maximum Duration (Days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One | 12,500 | 4 | 18 |
| Two | 5,000 | 3 | 15 |
| Three | 1,000 | 2 | 9 |
Invitation and Minor Open Races
Certain unique greyhound races exist that create a more dynamic and varied racing atmosphere:
Invitation Race: A special category, these races generally accompany other open races and are staged by the promoter. The races possess a unique trait where the participants are invited, contrasting the usual method of enrollment. A minimum prize money of £750 is allotted for these races.
Minor Open Race: Forming a separate cluster, these races have minimum added monetary rewards of £150. These races add variety to the greyhound tournament lineup.
Major Greyhound Derbies
While exploring the remarkable events in Greyhound racing, two of the standout varieties include the English and Irish Greyhound Derby.
English Greyhound Derby:
- Venue: Towcester
- Winner’s Prize: £175,000
- Rounds: Consists of six rounds
- Entries: This event attracts roughly 180 entries each year
Irish Greyhound Derby:
- Venue: Shelbourne Park
- Open To: British greyhounds can participate along with Irish greyhounds
Unfortunately, the Scottish Greyhound Derby and Welsh Greyhound Derby have ceased their operations, having concluded in 2019 and 1977, respectively. A Northern Irish Derby was briefly in operation in 2010 but had a short run.
| Event | Venue | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| English Greyhound Derby | Towcester | Ongoing |
| Irish Greyhound Derby | Shelbourne Park | Open to British participants |
| Scottish Greyhound Derby | N/A | Ceased in 2019 |
| Welsh Greyhound Derby | N/A | Ceased in 1977 |
| Northern Irish Derby | N/A | Ceased |
Monetary Structures of Category Races
Category races form the backbone of Greyhound racing, maintaining a steady flow of action throughout the year. The following is a breakdown of the three principal categories:
- Category One Race:
- Prize Money: Begins with a minimum purse of £12,500
- Rounds: Staged over one to four rounds
- Duration: The race must ideally be concluded within 15 days, but it is mandatory to wrap it up within 18 days, regardless of circumstances.
- Category Two Race:
- Prize Money: The minimum prize pot is set at £5,000.
- Rounds: Conducted over one to three rounds
- Duration: Must be completed in a 15-day period.
- Category Three Race:
- Prize Money: These races demand a minimum prize fund of £1,000 for competitions stretched over one or two rounds but within a nine-day window. A minimum of £500 must be set aside for one-day races.
- Rounds: Held over one to two rounds
- Duration: Must be conducted within nine days.
Invitation and Minor Open Races: Variants with Unique Rules
Greyhound racing also includes races such as Invitation Races and Minor Open Races:
Invitation Race:
- Entry: The participants are selected through an invitation process, unlike regular races where participants enroll themselves.
- Prize Money: The minimum prize money for these races is set at £750.
Minor Open Race:
- Prize Money: These races guarantee a minimum added prize money of £150.
These races maintain the cross-interaction and diversity on the racing field, ensuring continued excitement and engagement.
