Towcester to race on Saturday nights as SIS facilitates request

TOWCESTER is to resume regular weekly Saturday evening racing from 19th July after SIS facilitated a request from Kevin Boothby and Richard Thomas, the new Towcester Racecourse CEO.

The news comes on the back of a highly successful Star Sports/TRC English Derby at the venue and will see 10-race cards every Saturday night.

Richard Brankley, head of greyhound operations for SIS which holds the media rights to Towcester racing, said: "We are delighted to work with the Greyhound Racing UK and Kevin Boothby partnership, building on the success of this year’s outstanding English Derby and in bringing the crowds back to Towcester.

"Night-time and weekend racing is key to maintaining the social enjoyment and therefore the social licencing that greyhound racing enjoys.”

Towcester's CEO Richard Thomas said the Northamptonshire track was looking forward to reverting to regular Saturday nights.

He said: "We had them during the Derby, of course, but before then - and before my time here - we had the Christmas Bonanza with the Gone To The Dogs - Live! cameras, featuring the bet365 Puppy Oaks Final.

"That was well attended, I understand, as were the Derby Saturdays here last month and in May, so there is an appetite for it.

"The test for us will be to re-engage local people to the fact we're racing every Saturday night from 19th July.

“There are various entry and restaurant packages on our brand new website but I’d say the eye-catching offer here would be the Super 6 which includes food, a drink and a free bet among six items which together would be worth £38.50 but we are offering for £17.95.

“Incidentally, on Sundays kids will get free entry, a free burger and free ice cream.

"But Saturdays are still the major night out for everyone and we'll make sure we build these meetings up. They may become open-race cards down the line, perhaps instead or, or in addition to, our Sunday afternoon open-race cards, or they might be be used for graded galas with kennel sweepstakes etc.

"If truth be told, we have a blank canvas and it's our responsibility to make them work. Certainly in the summer and autumn nights it's a no-brainer for such a great venue with superb facilities now, but we'll review the situation down the line.”