Towcester Racecourse is pleased to confirm the revised schedule for Round 1 of the 2026 Star Sports Orchestrate English Greyhound Derby, following the completion of the entry process.
With 166 greyhounds entered – 28 heats in total – Round 1 will now be delivered across two race nights rather than three, with 14 Derby races on Friday 1 May and a further 14 on Saturday 2 May. The decision was taken in consultation with the Greyhound Board of Great Britain, and Towcester is confident the revised format will deliver two of the most action-packed opening nights the Derby has seen. The two-night structure is also expected to ease the travel burden for trainers, a number of whom could otherwise have faced trips to Towcester across three separate evenings.
All other Derby fixtures will be run over 12-race cards, with the Final extended to 15 races. The draw for Round 1 takes place on Friday 24 April.
Thursday 30th April will now revert to a standard afternoon meeting at Towcester Racecourse.
Explaining the decision, Towcester’s Head of Racing James Chalkley said: “Three nights are always set aside, but having 28 heats certainly gave us an option which we felt might suit everyone. However, until knowing the exact numbers in terms of entries, we couldn’t even consider that.
Thursday bookings had been taken but we are now in touch with those who booked to explain the situation, and – of course, to those who have made travel arrangements. We are still racing that day, however, as part of our commitment to Premier Greyhound Racing. And in terms of making it two first-round nights as opposed to three, we are hopefully helping trainers in terms of travel to and from Towcester on possibly three nights for some.”
All customers who had booked for Thursday 30 April have been contacted directly and offered a full refund or the option to exchange their ticket or restaurant booking for either of the Round 1 Derby nights on 1 or 2 May.
Anyone with further queries is asked to contact info@towcester-racecourse.uk.
2026 English Greyhound Derby – Full Schedule
• Round 1 – Friday 1 May & Saturday 2 May
• Round 2 – Friday 8 May & Saturday 9 May
• Round 3 – Saturday 16 May
• Quarter Final – Saturday 23 May
• Semi Final – Saturday 30 May
• Final – Saturday 6 June
Tickets for all Derby fixtures are available at derby26.co.uk.