GBGB publishes full Open Race calendar for 2024 ahead of schedule following new approach to planning
GBGB has today published its Open Race calendar for 2024 two weeks ahead of schedule following a new approach to planning and increase in Category One and Two events.
For the second year running a full roadmap for the racing year ahead has been produced by the Open Race Planning Committee giving Owners and Trainers more time to plan.
Last year’s extensive review to alleviate pressure around scheduling competitions brought an end to a two-part calendar and has helped to better facilitate existing and new events, while managing potential clashes.
Racing operations executive Scott Harvey said: “Owners and trainers all dream of a moment in the spotlight and should be given every chance to achieve it, which is why each month will feature a Cat One Puppy competition to maximise opportunity, excluding June when the Greyhound Derby takes centre stage.
“The maximum added prize money threshold for Cat Two competitions is also set to increase in 2024 to £15,999 allowing promoters to pay more out across Cat Two, should they choose to do so.”
Harvey also confirmed that while permitted as a build up to any Cat One event, trial stakes will no longer form part of a competition’s conditions of entry from next year. All events excluding the Classics will remain three rounds.
Next year’s open race schedule comprises a total of 57 Cat One events including the TV Trophy, the tender process for which is about to get underway after reaching the end of Entain’s two-year award.
The sport’s schedule in 2024 will again feature a number of Super Saturdays, and Sundays, giving racegoers the chance to get up close to the big race action to maximise attendance. Many of the Cat One finals will take place at the weekend, including the Derby at Towcester, and the St Leger and Oaks at Perry Barr.
Harvey added: “Getting a Category One list as structured and as varied as this out now adds a level of reassurance and this has been made possible by tracks and promoters working in collaboration.
“Even our friends in Ireland have taken a keener interest in UK racing this year and we have seen an increase in trainers coming over to compete in Cat One events, outside of the Derby. We expect that to continue in 2024.
“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 be okay.”
Category One schedule 2024
Sat 20 Jan | Oxford | BGBF Puppy Cup | 450m Flat | |
Sat 20 Jan | Central Park | Arena Racing Company Cesarewitch | 731m Flat | |
Sun 21 Jan | Towcester | Blue Riband | 500m Flat | |
Fri 26 Jan | Romford | Coral Essex Vase | 575m Flat | |
Thu 15 Feb | Newcastle | Arena Racing Company Northern Puppy Derby | 480m Flat | |
Sat 17 Feb | Monmore | Ladbrokes Winter Derby | 480m Flat | |
Sat 24 Feb | Crayford | Premier Greyhound Racing Golden Jacket | 714m Flat | |
Fri 15 Mar | Romford | Coral Golden Sprint | 400m Flat | |
Mon 18 Mar | Nottingham | BGBF Breeders Stakes | 500m Flat | |
Sat 23 Mar | Oxford | Star Sports Galaxy Marathon | 845m Flat | |
Sat 30 Mar | Central Park | Arena Racing Company Kent Plate | 491m Flat | |
Sat 30 Mar | Monmore | Premier Greyhound Racing Puppy Derby | 480m Flat | |
Sat 13 Apr | Oxford | bet365 Hunt Cup | 650m Flat | |
Sun 14 Apr | Towcester | RPGTV Juvenile | 500m Flat | |
Fri 19 Apr | Sunderland | Arena Racing Company Grand Prix | 640m Flat | |
Sun 21 Apr | Sheffield | Steel City Puppy Derby | 500m Flat | |
Sat 27 Apr | Hove | Coral Brighton Belle | 515m Flat | |
Sat 27 Apr | Perry Barr | Arena Racing Company Laurels | 480m Flat | |
Sun 28 Apr | Towcester | KAB Maiden Derby | 500m Flat | |
Sat 18 May | Crayford | Ladbrokes Kent St Leger | 714m Flat | |
Sun 26 May | Sheffield | 3 Steps to Victory | Tri Distance | |
Sun 26 May | Kinsley | BresBet Gymcrack | 450m Flat | |
Fri 14 Jun | Romford | Coral Coronation Cup | 575m Flat | |
Sat 15 Jun | Central Park | Kent Silver Salver | 277m Flat | |
Sat 29 Jun | Towcester | Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby | 500m Flat | |
Sat 20 Jul | Crayford | Ladbrokes Champion Hurdle | 380m Hurdle | |
Sun 21 Jul | Towcester | Juvenile Classic | 500m Flat | |
Thu 25 Jul | Newcastle | Arena Racing Company Northern Flat | 480m Flat | |
Sat 27 Jul | Hove | Premier Greyhound Racing Regency | 695m Flat | |
Sat 27 Jul | Hove | Coral Sussex Cup | 515m Flat | |
Sat 27 Jul | Oxford | Stadium Bookmakers Pall Mall | 450m Flat | |
Sat 24 Aug | Monmore | Ladbrokes Gold Cup | 480m Flat | |
Sat 24 Aug | Monmore | Ladbrokes Summer Stayers | 630m Flat | |
Mon 26 Aug | Nottingham | Jenningsbet Puppy Classic | 500m Flat | |
Mon 26 Aug | Nottingham | Jenningsbet Select Stakes | 500m Flat | |
Sun 15 Sep | Towcester | bet365 Empress Stakes | 500m Flat | |
Wed 18 Sep | Yarmouth | East Anglian Derby | 462m Flat | |
Thu 19 Sep | Swindon | 77th BGBF Produce Stakes | 476m Flat | |
Sat 21 Sep | Perry Barr | M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup | 480m Flat | |
Sat 21 Sep | Perry Barr | Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger | 710m Flat | |
Fri 27 Sep | Romford | Coral Puppy Cup | 400m Flat | |
Fri 18 Oct | Romford | Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes | 575m Flat | |
Sat 19 Oct | Oxford | RPGTV Cowley Puppy Collar | 450m Flat | |
Sat 19 Oct | Central Park | Premier Greyhound Racing Kent Derby | 491m Flat | |
Sun 20 Oct | Sheffield | BresBet Steel City Cup | 500m Flat | |
Sat 26 Oct | Perry Barr | Premier Greyhound Racing Oaks | 480m Flat | |
Sun 10 Nov | Hove | Coral Grand National | 500m Hurdle | |
Fri 15 Nov | Sunderland | Arena Racing Company Classic | 450m Flat | |
Sat 23 Nov | Crayford | Ladbrokes Gold Collar | 540m Flat | |
Sun 24 Nov | Towcester | RPGTV English Puppy Derby | 500m Flat | |
Mon 25 Nov | Nottingham | Premier Greyhound Racing Eclipse | 500m Flat | |
Sat 14 Dec | Oxford | bet365 Challenge Cup | 650m Flat | |
Sat 14 Dec | Hove | Coral Olympic | 515m Flat | |
Sat 14 Dec | Hove | George Curtis Ballyregan Bob Memorial 740m | 740m Flat | |
Sun 22 Dec | Sheffield | BGBF British Bred Derby | 500m Flat | |
Sun 22 Dec | Towcester | bet365 English Puppy Oaks | 500m Flat | |
Fri 27 Dec | Newcastle | Premier Greyhound Racing All England Cup | 480m Flat |
Category Two schedule 2024
Sat 24 Feb | Crayford | Peter Bussey Memorial Trophy | 540m Flat | |
Sun 10 Mar | Sheffield | Queen Mother Memorial Cup | 660m Flat | |
Thu 21 Mar | Hove | Coral Springbok | 500m Hurdles | |
Thu 25 Apr | Suffolk Downs | Suffolk Sprint | 220m Flat | |
Sat 27 Apr | Hove | Hove Puppy Cup | 500m Flat | |
Thur 2 May | Suffolk Downs | Suffolk Derby | 388m Flat | |
Thu 23 May | Newcastle | BGBF Maiden | 480m Flat | |
Fri 28 June | Sunderland | Arena Racing Company Puppy Cup | 450m Flat | |
Sat 29 June | Towcester | BGBF Champion Stakes | 500m Flat | |
Sat 29 June | Towcester | Derby Plate | 500m Flat | |
Sat 29 June | Towcester | Challenge Trophy | 712m Flat | |
Sat 29 June | Towcester | Greyhoundtrader.com Stakes | 500m Flat | |
Thu 25 July | Newcastle | Arena Racing Company Angel of the North | 480m Flat | |
Sat 27 July | Hove | Coral Sprint Trophy | 285m Flat | |
Sat 17 Aug | Crayford | Ladbrokes Guys & Dolls Trophy | 380m Flat | |
Sun 18 Aug | Henlow | Maiden Gold Cup | 550m Flat | |
Sun 18 Oct | Romford | Coral Silver Standard | 400m Flat | |
Sat 26 Oct | Perry Barr | Arena Racing Company Scurry Gold Cup | 275m Flat | |
Sun 8 Sep | Henlow | Betgoodwin Bedfordshire Sprint | 277m Flat | |
Sat 28 Sep | Doncaster | BGBF St Leger | 661m Flat | |
Sat 28 Sep | Doncaster | Yorkshire Derby | 483m Flat | |
Thu 14 Nov | Suffolk Downs | Suffolk Cesarewitch | 714m Flat | |
Fri 15 Nov | Sunderland | BGBF Future Stars Puppy Trophy | 450m Flat | |
Sun 8 Dec | Henlow | Maiden Derby | 460m Flat | |
Thu 12 Dec | Suffolk Downs | Suffolk Gold Cup | 548m Flat | |
Mon 23 Dec | Nottingham | Arena Racing Company National Sprint | 305m Flat |