Towcester agrees 5-year deal for English Derby hosting rights

THE English Greyhound Derby is to remain at Towcester until at least 2031 after it was announced the venue had agreed a five-year-deal with the GBGB.

Now known as Betway Towcester for sponsorship reasons, the Northamptonshire track staged the Derby in 2017 and 2018 and then again from 2021 onwards.

The five-year agreement provides a platform for the continued development and promotion of the event, while reinforcing Towcester’s position as the home of the sport’s biggest fixture. 

First staged in 1927, the 2027 running also marks the centenary of the English Greyhound Derby, a landmark year that will celebrate the history and heritage of one of greyhound racing’s most prestigious events.

James Chalkley, Head of Racing at Betway Towcester Racecourse, said: “Securing the English Greyhound Derby for a further five years is hugely significant for Betway Towcester Racecourse and for greyhound racing as a whole.

“The Derby is the sport’s flagship event and having the certainty of a five-year term gives us the opportunity to build on what has already been established at Towcester and make plans for the future of the competition.” 

Mark Moisley, Commercial Director at the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, said: “We would like to thank Betway Towcester Racecourse for their commitment to the sport in submitting their bid to host the Derby for the next five years.

The date for the 2027 English Greyhound Derby at Betway Towcester Racecourse will be confirmed and published at a later date.