Davis and Greyhound Racing UK strengthen ties with Towcester

MIKE DAVIS, who launched and is MD of Greyhound Racing UK, has reached agreement with Towcester promoter Kevin Boothby to boost the customer experience at the Northamptonshire venue.

It extends the arrangement already in place between Boothby and Davis that covers the responsibility of promotion and marketing of the Star Sports English Derby plus the control and care of those coming through the gates.

“First off, I’d like to say thanks to Kevin and the Boothby family for letting me support them with the running of the site - and the operational issues they face every year,” said Davis.

“Greyhound racing owes a debt of gratitude to the Boothbys for keeping the English Greyhound Derby very much alive and kicking - and so much part of the lives of greyhound fans and enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland, and beyond.

“Kevin and Dave and the racing team are very much key to its continued success and we will be working closely with them to make the English Greyhound Derby experience - on and off the track - the very best it can be in 2025 and onwards. This agreement means we can carry forward that work to make Towcester the best experience for everyone attending the racecourse.

“We have some exciting plans both for the Derby and the sport itself moving forward and there’s so much scope and opportunity for the site as a whole.

"Greyhound racing needs a venue that it can be proud of and I am putting a team in place that will do that.

“Kevin’s team will continue to have control of the racing going forward, not just for the Derby but the major events to come at Towcester, and we will continue to support them in terms of attracting sponsors and support in that respect.

“All the service and hospitality staff at the venue are in the process of transferring across to my team with the aim of establishing Towcester Racecourse as a premium venue for hospitality, conferences, events, business meetings and festivals.”

Kevin Boothby commented: “The improvements that Mike and his team have made to the entire site already in preparation for the English Greyhound Derby are fantastic and I am really looking forward to seeing how far he can go with making the venue the jewel in greyhound racing’s crown that it undoubtedly is.”

Davis added: “There will be no changes to the racing operation but the improvements being seen around the site will also extend to the track and kennels.

“We are committed to improving the overall presentation of greyhound racing and that includes what we see both front-of-house and behind the scenes.

“I will be supporting Kevin and his team to maintain and further improve welfare and environmental aspects so we have the best possible standards in place. I am really excited to take this on and will be giving it my full attention.”