Star Pelaw announces return of the Grand National this October
THE Grand National is returning to the greyhound racing calendar after an absence of one year following Star Pelaw's announcement of a £10,000 to-the-winner Category 1 event over its 435m hurdles course in October.
The north-east track, aided greatly by trainers Rick Holloway and Craig Marston, reintroduced jumps racing in March after a 14-months gap following the closure of Crayford in January 2025 with Holloway's Mickys Tribute the undoubted star performer having won seven from seven including setting the initial track record than breaking it on three occasions.
Sponsorship details of the planned three-round competition [Saturdays 10th/17th/24th October] will be announced in due course although the hopefuls will be racing for the original perpetual trophy with the kind permission of its owner, hurdles fan and former Central Park promoter Roger Cearns.
However, the Grand National is set to conclude what should be a real October-fest of racing at Star Pelaw with another Category One event, the SIS & Star Pelaw Stewards Cup over 590m scheduled for Saturday 26th September plus 3rd & 10th October.
Additionally, the Category 3 SIS & Star Pelaw British Bred Bitches over 435m will take place on 3rd and 10th October with other supporting Category 3 events planned to conclude on Grand National final night.
Kim Sanzone, head of Greyhound Racing Operations for Star Sports, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are aiming to bring back one of the hurdle classics, with the Grand National pencilled in for October.
"The jumps is something that both Ben [Keith, Star Sports owner] and I are very passionate about and we are very excited to be able to host this and have use of the beautiful perpetual trophy with the very kind permission of Roger Cearns.
“Full sponsorship details of the competition are still being finalised and we will announce them in due course but we wanted to let the greyhound community know of our plans to allow time for schooling and trialling of potential entrants.
"If anyone requires further details regarding the event or are looking to arrange schooling trials, then please contact Racing Manager, Dave Gray at Star Pelaw.”
For his part, six-times winning Grand National trainer Holloway said: “Well done to Star Pelaw for bringing back hurdles racing and fantastic news to hear the Cat 1 Grand National is back.
"There is now something to really aim at for hurdlers. Pelaw track is perfect for the event.”
Star Pelaw will become the sixth Grand National host track following White City [1927-1984), Hall Green [1985-1998], Wimbledon [1999-2011], Central Park [2012-2022] and Crayford [2022-2024].
Details of the event will be officially advertised in the next GBGB calendar.
