Category One and Two schedule for 2025 announced by GBGB
THE GBGB has published its 2025 major open-race schedule comprising the Category One and Category Two competitions for the racing year ahead.
GBGB 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 Category One Juvenile Classic at Towcester, staged as a Category Two event in 2024, and Oxford Puppy Collar, which did not go ahead this year due to a lack of sponsor, are set to return as top level competitions.
Next year’s open race schedule 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.”
Major finals on SIS in 2025
Sat 25th Jan - Oxford BGBF Puppy Cup 450m
Sun 26th Jan - Towcester Blue Riband 500m
Sun 23rd Feb - Towcester Northamptonshire Sprint 270m
Sun 23rd Mar - Towcester TV Trophy 942m
Sun 13th Apr - Towcester Juvenile 500m
Sat 19th Apr - Oxford bet365 Hunt Cup 650m
Sun 20th Apr - Towcester KAB Maiden Derby 500m
Sat 14th Jun - Towcester STAR SPORTS/TRC ENGLISH DERBY 500m
Sat 14th June - Towcester BGBF Champion Stakes 500m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Derby Plate 500m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Challenge Trophy 712m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Greyhoundtrader.com Stakes 500m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Derby Sprint Stakes 270m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Derby Bitches Stakes 500m
Sat 14th June - Towcester Derby Puppy Stakes 500m
Sun 20th Jul - Towcester Juvenile Classic 500m
Sat 26th Jul - Oxford Pall Mall 450m
Sat 16th Aug - Oxford BGBF British Bred Oaks 450m
Sun 21st Sep - Towcester bet365 Empress Stakes 500m
Sep 28th Sep - Doncaster BGBF St Leger 661m
Sat 25th Oct - Oxford Puppy Collar 450m
Sun 2nd Nov - Towcester BGBF Stud Book Trophy 500m
Sun 30th Nov - Towcester English Puppy Derby 500m
Sat 13th Dec - Oxford bet365 Challenge Cup 650m
Sun 28th Dec - Towcester bet365 English Puppy Oaks 500m