Latest news with #EnglishGreyhoundDerby
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gone to the dogs? A look at greyhound racing's future
On Saturday, Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire will host the annual English Greyhound Derby, with a £175,000 prize at stake for the winner. While adored by some, the event has previously been a target for animal rights protestors, who claim the welfare of dogs is at stake so long as racing continues. BBC News looks at where the divisive sport stands in 2025. Earlier this year, the Welsh government announced it would ban greyhound racing "as soon as practically possible". It followed cross-party calls for a ban, a government consultation and a petition that attracted some 35,000 signatures. No timeline has been announced for the ban, but it was welcomed by a coalition of animal welfare charities including the Dogs Trust, which said England, Scotland and Northern Ireland should follow suit. "Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved, and running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs," it said. "In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog." However, the UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said in February that there were "absolutely no plans" to extend the ban announced in Wales. According to data published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, 109 dogs died trackside at races in 2023. The number does not include deaths which may have occurred during training, or that have resulted later from injuries incurred during racing. In 2023, welfare group Animal Rising scaled scaffolding in a bid to disrupt the greyhound derby at Towcester. The racecourse said the action had cost it "thousands of pounds" in security, but racing had not been disrupted. Claudia Penna Rojas, an activist for Animal Rising, told the BBC that she thought the statistics surrounding the deaths of dogs was "shocking". She said: "If we had this number of deaths in other so-called sport, we would be absolute uproar about it." "What we did [at Towcester in 2023] was protest what was happening, because we don't want to see dogs dying on this track. We don't want to see these dogs injured. "We want to see a safe transition away from this industry. We want the dogs to be rehomed and happy... and to support the people who currently work in the industry to move away from it." Although dog racing tracks in both Peterborough and Swindon have closed in recent times, there is still proof of investment in the sport. Wolverhampton Racecourse is planning to open a new greyhound racing facility at its venue, to include a track and kennels. It is expected to open in the autumn. Jonathan Hobbs, from Greyhound Racing UK - the organisers of Saturday's English Greyhound Derby - accepted the sport "has faced its challenges", but added "signs of renewal are visible". He said: "The truth is that welfare standards and safety measures in greyhound racing, especially in the UK and Ireland, have seen a dramatic transformation [in recent years]. "The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has played a leading role in this progress, and the sport now sets the standard in areas like drug testing - paving the way even for other sports to follow. "Greyhound racing continues to play a vital role in the betting industry and wider economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue and tax contributions. "It also remains a cherished spectator experience. There's something uniquely enjoyable about a night at the dogs - watching these graceful, happy animals do what they love. Just look at their wagging tails at the finish line." Mr Hobbs added that the sport had shown "dedication" to rehoming retired greyhounds, and said that "the vast majority" of dogs "now go on to enjoy happy, healthy lives as pets after their racing careers." He said: "Rehoming rates are at record highs, and these gentle, affectionate dogs are increasingly recognised as ideal companions in family homes. "The passion is still there [for the sport]. Towcester will be packed this Saturday for what promises to be the best English Greyhound Derby final in years... I can't wait." Greyhound Homing UK works to support the welfare of racing and retired greyhounds. According to the group, greyhounds typically finish their racing career between the ages of one and five years old. The average lifespan of the breed can be up to 15 years. Gail May from Greyhound Homing UK said she understood the perspective of animal rights protestors, but said people involved in the dog racing industry had much in common with them. "It's good to hear the views of those who oppose us," she said. "We know that they do that from a position of loving dogs. I think it's perhaps overlooked how much as a sport we love our dogs. "We have greyhounds at home too. We pride ourselves on making everything as safe as we possibly can. [But] nothing is without risk, unfortunately." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. New greyhound track set for late autumn opening 'Greyhound racing cost my pet its leg - I back the ban' Greyhound protesters overturn compensation order The greyhound stadium facing demolition Greyhound racing 'outdated and cruel'
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gone to the dogs? A look at greyhound racing's future
On Saturday, Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire will host the annual English Greyhound Derby, with a £175,000 prize at stake for the winner. While adored by some, the event has previously been a target for animal rights protestors, who claim the welfare of dogs is at stake so long as racing continues. BBC News looks at where the divisive sport stands in 2025. Earlier this year, the Welsh government announced it would ban greyhound racing "as soon as practically possible". It followed cross-party calls for a ban, a government consultation and a petition that attracted some 35,000 signatures. No timeline has been announced for the ban, but it was welcomed by a coalition of animal welfare charities including the Dogs Trust, which said England, Scotland and Northern Ireland should follow suit. "Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved, and running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs," it said. "In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog." However, the UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said in February that there were "absolutely no plans" to extend the ban announced in Wales. According to data published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, 109 dogs died trackside at races in 2023. The number does not include deaths which may have occurred during training, or that have resulted later from injuries incurred during racing. In 2023, welfare group Animal Rising scaled scaffolding in a bid to disrupt the greyhound derby at Towcester. The racecourse said the action had cost it "thousands of pounds" in security, but racing had not been disrupted. Claudia Penna Rojas, an activist for Animal Rising, told the BBC that she thought the statistics surrounding the deaths of dogs was "shocking". She said: "If we had this number of deaths in other so-called sport, we would be absolute uproar about it." "What we did [at Towcester in 2023] was protest what was happening, because we don't want to see dogs dying on this track. We don't want to see these dogs injured. "We want to see a safe transition away from this industry. We want the dogs to be rehomed and happy... and to support the people who currently work in the industry to move away from it." Although dog racing tracks in both Peterborough and Swindon have closed in recent times, there is still proof of investment in the sport. Wolverhampton Racecourse is planning to open a new greyhound racing facility at its venue, to include a track and kennels. It is expected to open in the autumn. Jonathan Hobbs, from Greyhound Racing UK - the organisers of Saturday's English Greyhound Derby - accepted the sport "has faced its challenges", but added "signs of renewal are visible". He said: "The truth is that welfare standards and safety measures in greyhound racing, especially in the UK and Ireland, have seen a dramatic transformation [in recent years]. "The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has played a leading role in this progress, and the sport now sets the standard in areas like drug testing - paving the way even for other sports to follow. "Greyhound racing continues to play a vital role in the betting industry and wider economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue and tax contributions. "It also remains a cherished spectator experience. There's something uniquely enjoyable about a night at the dogs - watching these graceful, happy animals do what they love. Just look at their wagging tails at the finish line." Mr Hobbs added that the sport had shown "dedication" to rehoming retired greyhounds, and said that "the vast majority" of dogs "now go on to enjoy happy, healthy lives as pets after their racing careers." He said: "Rehoming rates are at record highs, and these gentle, affectionate dogs are increasingly recognised as ideal companions in family homes. "The passion is still there [for the sport]. Towcester will be packed this Saturday for what promises to be the best English Greyhound Derby final in years... I can't wait." Greyhound Homing UK works to support the welfare of racing and retired greyhounds. According to the group, greyhounds typically finish their racing career between the ages of one and five years old. The average lifespan of the breed can be up to 15 years. Gail May from Greyhound Homing UK said she understood the perspective of animal rights protestors, but said people involved in the dog racing industry had much in common with them. "It's good to hear the views of those who oppose us," she said. "We know that they do that from a position of loving dogs. I think it's perhaps overlooked how much as a sport we love our dogs. "We have greyhounds at home too. We pride ourselves on making everything as safe as we possibly can. [But] nothing is without risk, unfortunately." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. New greyhound track set for late autumn opening 'Greyhound racing cost my pet its leg - I back the ban' Greyhound protesters overturn compensation order The greyhound stadium facing demolition Greyhound racing 'outdated and cruel'
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
What is the future of greyhound racing in England?
On Saturday, Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire will host the annual English Greyhound Derby, with a £175,000 prize at stake for the adored by some, the event has previously been a target for animal rights protestors, who claim the welfare of dogs is at stake so long as racing News looks at where the divisive sport stands in 2025. Why is greyhound racing controversial? Earlier this year, the Welsh government announced it would ban greyhound racing "as soon as practically possible".It followed cross-party calls for a ban, a government consultation and a petition that attracted some 35,000 timeline has been announced for the ban, but it was welcomed by a coalition of animal welfare charities including the Dogs Trust, which said England, Scotland and Northern Ireland should follow suit."Greyhound racing is inherently dangerous for the dogs involved, and running at speed around oval tracks causes significant injury to many dogs," it said. "In some cases, the injuries are so severe that it is necessary to euthanise the dog."However, the UK culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said in February that there were "absolutely no plans" to extend the ban announced in Wales. According to data published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, 109 dogs died trackside at races in 2023. The number does not include deaths which may have occurred during training, or that have resulted later from injuries incurred during 2023, welfare group Animal Rising scaled scaffolding in a bid to disrupt the greyhound derby at racecourse said the action had cost it "thousands of pounds" in security, but racing had not been disrupted. Why do activists want the sport stopped? Claudia Penna Rojas, an activist for Animal Rising, told the BBC that she thought the statistics surrounding the deaths of dogs was "shocking".She said: "If we had this number of deaths in other so-called sport, we would be absolute uproar about it.""What we did [at Towcester in 2023] was protest what was happening, because we don't want to see dogs dying on this track. We don't want to see these dogs injured. "We want to see a safe transition away from this industry. We want the dogs to be rehomed and happy... and to support the people who currently work in the industry to move away from it." A promising future? Although dog racing tracks in both Peterborough and Swindon have closed in recent times, there is still proof of investment in the Racecourse is planning to open a new greyhound racing facility at its venue, to include a track and kennels. It is expected to open in the Hobbs, from Greyhound Racing UK - the organisers of Saturday's English Greyhound Derby - accepted the sport "has faced its challenges", but added "signs of renewal are visible".He said: "The truth is that welfare standards and safety measures in greyhound racing, especially in the UK and Ireland, have seen a dramatic transformation [in recent years]. "The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB) has played a leading role in this progress, and the sport now sets the standard in areas like drug testing - paving the way even for other sports to follow."Greyhound racing continues to play a vital role in the betting industry and wider economy, supporting thousands of jobs and generating significant revenue and tax contributions."It also remains a cherished spectator experience. There's something uniquely enjoyable about a night at the dogs - watching these graceful, happy animals do what they love. Just look at their wagging tails at the finish line." Mr Hobbs added that the sport had shown "dedication" to rehoming retired greyhounds, and said that "the vast majority" of dogs "now go on to enjoy happy, healthy lives as pets after their racing careers."He said: "Rehoming rates are at record highs, and these gentle, affectionate dogs are increasingly recognised as ideal companions in family homes."The passion is still there [for the sport]. Towcester will be packed this Saturday for what promises to be the best English Greyhound Derby final in years... I can't wait." Finding a common ground Greyhound Homing UK works to support the welfare of racing and retired to the group, greyhounds typically finish their racing career between the ages of one and five years old. The average lifespan of the breed can be up to 15 May from Greyhound Homing UK said she understood the perspective of animal rights protestors, but said people involved in the dog racing industry had much in common with them."It's good to hear the views of those who oppose us," she said."We know that they do that from a position of loving dogs. I think it's perhaps overlooked how much as a sport we love our dogs. "We have greyhounds at home too. We pride ourselves on making everything as safe as we possibly can. [But] nothing is without risk, unfortunately." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
It's hotting up in the Greyhound Derby
It's nearly time for the final GONE TO THE DOGS It's hotting up in the Greyhound Derby IT'S a huge week for the Derby - the English Greyhound Derby! We are down to the last twelve in Towcester's spectacular knockout competition, won by legends of the sport in Mick the Miller, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk. 1 There have been some upsets in this year's Greyhound Derby Credit: PA:Empics Sport The latter will remain the most extraordinary greyhound I'm sure I will ever see. Intelligence of Einstein! He blew me away. I've been lucky enough to present at many Greyhound Derbys in the old days of Sky Sports Greyhounds. Really miss that show produced by Lee Irvine and his team. It was always such fun. Times move on, though, and the 2025 semi-finals take place this Saturday, with the final on June 14. Towcester have done all they can to promote the Starsports-sponsored event, with discounted tickets, entertainment and competitions abounding from Round 1. You can always check out all the details and deals on Actually, while I remember, if you go to and use my code CHAPPERS20 you will get 20% off for the semis! Quite simply it feels as though the buzz is back with the Greyhound Derby. As with all knockout competitions, there have been upsets along the way. That included in the quarter finals last Saturday. Let's have a quick look back at what happened over the weekend. In the first Quarter Final Cheap Sandwiches, one of the big ante-post fancies, made all from Trap 5. He rallied well in the home straight when slightly challenged by Droopys Bookem. The latter had a solo round the first bend on the inside and had every chance. To be fair, Cheap Sandwiches is more prawn and mayo than cheese and pickle. The second Quarter Final went to defending champion De Lahdedah, who from Trap 3 got away in second behind the blistering early pace of Churchfield Syd and picked up the eventual runner up close home. It was a determined effort but far from scintillating. The time of that Quarter was 28.82s, compared to 28.67 from Cheap Sandwiches which backed up the view of the naked eye. Dynamic Force was electric making all in the 3rd Quarter Final always proving to pacey for strong fancy Bombay Pat. The latter had no excuses and looked a bit tired to me. A time of 28.66s was excellent. Then the big shock. Ante-post favourite Bockos Diamond missed the break before showing blinding pace to take it up down the back straight. The effort was all too much. He got tired in the closing stages and was picked up by Slick Sentinel and Droopys Plunge. Slick Sentinel did well, as he pinged, got headed and then rallied. But the time was only average in 28.87 suggesting it was all a bit of a mess. Bockos Diamond, however, did survive! For the semi-finals the draw is everything. My opinion is that Churchfield Syd is absolutely plotted up in Trap 6 for the first Semi-Final. I can't see how he doesn't go clear and he was brilliant from the front in the second round. De Lahdedah (Trap 2) will pick him up if getting clear of Sole Mio and and Droopys Bookem but that is a big if when you consider his worst start in the competition so far has been from the Blue box. The second Semi-Final looks much more complicated to me. But Cheap Sandwiches could easily make all from Trap 5. The lead is up for grabs here unless, of course, Dynamic Force gets out like he did in the quarters. It's hard to know how he will react to Trap 4. The issue is also trying to guess how Bockos Diamond goes from Trap 6. A fast start makes him dangerous. Very dangerous. But he's not always electric from the boxes. All in all, for me Churchfield Syd and De Lahdedah are the best positioned greyhounds to get to the final. But they come from a slow quarter-final. It's such a great conundrum to get to grips with and tackle. But that's the beauty of the Greyhound Derby. And it's perfectly positioned with 6 UK based greyhounds and 6 Irish greyhounds in the mix. Now, hopefully, you will understand that the 2025 Greyhound Derby promises much.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
It's hotting up in the Greyhound Derby
IT'S a huge week for the Derby - the English Greyhound Derby! We are down to the last twelve in Towcester's spectacular knockout competition, won by legends of the sport in Mick the Miller, Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk. 1 There have been some upsets in this year's Greyhound Derby Credit: PA:Empics Sport The latter will remain the most extraordinary greyhound I'm sure I will ever see. Intelligence of Einstein! He blew me away. I've been lucky enough to present at many Greyhound Derbys in the old days of Sky Sports Greyhounds. Really miss that show produced by Lee Irvine and his team. It was always such fun. Times move on, though, and the 2025 semi-finals take place this Saturday, with the final on June 14. Towcester have done all they can to promote the Starsports-sponsored event, with discounted tickets, entertainment and competitions abounding from Round 1. You can always check out all the details and deals on Actually, while I remember, if you go to Quite simply it feels as though the buzz is back with the Greyhound Derby. As with all knockout competitions, there have been upsets along the way. That included in the quarter finals last Saturday. Most read in Sport Let's have a quick look back at what happened over the weekend. In the first Quarter Final Cheap Sandwiches, one of the big ante-post fancies, made all from Trap 5. He rallied well in the home straight when slightly challenged by Droopys Bookem. The latter had a solo round the first bend on the inside and had every chance. To be fair, Cheap Sandwiches is more prawn and mayo than cheese and pickle. The second Quarter Final went to defending champion De Lahdedah, who from Trap 3 got away in second behind the blistering early pace of Churchfield Syd and picked up the eventual runner up close home. It was a determined effort but far from scintillating. The time of that Quarter was 28.82s, compared to 28.67 from Cheap Sandwiches which backed up the view of the naked eye. Dynamic Force was electric making all in the 3rd Quarter Final always proving to pacey for strong fancy Bombay Pat. The latter had no excuses and looked a bit tired to me. A time of 28.66s was excellent. Then the big shock. Ante-post favourite Bockos Diamond missed the break before showing blinding pace to take it up down the back straight. The effort was all too much. He got tired in the closing stages and was picked up by Slick Sentinel and Droopys Plunge. Slick Sentinel did well, as he pinged, got headed and then rallied. But the time was only average in 28.87 suggesting it was all a bit of a mess. Bockos Diamond, however, did survive! For the semi-finals the draw is everything. My opinion is that Churchfield Syd is absolutely plotted up in Trap 6 for the first Semi-Final. I can't see how he doesn't go clear and he was brilliant from the front in the second round. De Lahdedah (Trap 2) will pick him up if getting clear of Sole Mio and and Droopys Bookem but that is a big if when you consider his worst start in the competition so far has been from the Blue box. The second Semi-Final looks much more complicated to me. But Cheap Sandwiches could easily make all from Trap 5. The lead is up for grabs here unless, of course, Dynamic Force gets out like he did in the quarters. It's hard to know how he will react to Trap 4. The issue is also trying to guess how Bockos Diamond goes from Trap 6. A fast start makes him dangerous. Very dangerous. But he's not always electric from the boxes. All in all, for me Churchfield Syd and De Lahdedah are the best positioned greyhounds to get to the final. But they come from a slow quarter-final. It's such a great conundrum to get to grips with and tackle. Read more on the Irish Sun But that's the beauty of the Greyhound Derby. And it's perfectly positioned with 6 UK based greyhounds and 6 Irish greyhounds in the mix. Now, hopefully, you will understand that the 2025 Greyhound Derby promises much.
