This article discusses various famous greyhound races held in Great Britain & Ireland, elaborating on race grades, associated venues, race speeds, classic winners, and affiliated trainers. Additionally, a comparison of English dog racing grades with Irish, American, and Australian grading systems is presented.
Greyhound Racing Grades
There are four main race grades in greyhound racing:
- Open Race: Represents the highest standard of racing grades and varies by country.
- Top Grade: Races that feature the best greyhounds below the open race level.
- Middle Grade: Intermediate level races between top and low-grade competition.
- Low Grade: Consists of the bottom tier of greyhound racing for less competitive dogs.
Open Race By Country
England:
In England, the Open Race consists of two divisions:
- Major Open Races: Category One (OR1), Two (OR2), and Three (OR3)
- Minor Opens: (OR)
Ireland:
In Ireland, the best middle-distance races are known as AAO’s.
United States:
In America, the highest level of greyhound racing is referred to as Racing Secretaries A Class (RSA) or SA’s.
Australia:
In Australia, major competitions are classified as Group Races and are generally referred to as Free for All (FFA) races.
Top Venues For Greyhound Racing
- England:
- Wimbledon Stadium
- Belle Vue Stadium
- Romford Stadium
- Nottingham Stadium
- Ireland:
- Shelbourne Park
- Curraheen Park
- Harold’s Cross Stadium
- Dundalk Stadium
- United States:
- Derby Lane
- Palm Beach Kennel Club
- Southland Park
- Wheeling Island
- Australia:
- Wentworth Park
- Sandown Park
- The Meadows
- Angle Park
Classic Winners And Affiliated Trainers
Some of the most famous greyhound trainers and their classic winning dogs include:
- Charlie Lister OBE: He trained dogs like Rapid Ranger and Westmead Hawk who won the English Greyhound Derby multiple times.
- Linda Mullins: She was responsible for the successes of Ballinderry Ash, who won both the English Greyhound Derby and St Leger in 1996.
- Graham Holland: A renowned Irish trainer whose greyhound, Clares Rocket, found success in the Irish Greyhound Derby and other prestigious races.
Comparing Grading Systems
While there are similarities between the grading systems, there are distinctions between greyhound racing grades in England, Ireland, United States, and Australia:
| Country | Highest Grade | Top Grade | Middle Grade | Low Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | Major Open Races (OR1-3) | Top Grade | Middle Grade | Low Grade |
| Ireland | AAO | Top Grade | Middle Grade | Low Grade |
| United States | RSA or SA | Top Grade | Middle Grade | Low Grade |
| Australia | Group Races (FFA) | Top Grade | Middle Grade | Low Grade |
This information provides a comprehensive overview of the greyhound race grading systems in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and Australia, offering context for understanding the nuances of each country’s grading approach.
UK Category One – Major Greyhound Racing Events and Venues
This section explores the major greyhound racing events of UK’s Category One Open Racing, including the history, sponsors, winners, prize involvement, and the trainers associated with these events.
English Greyhound Derby
The English Greyhound Derby, the most prominent competition, has been held annually since its inception in 1927 at the White City Stadium, London. The recent winner as of 1st July, 2023 was Gaytime Nemo, trained by Graham Holland, at the Towcester venue. This year’s event was sponsored by Star*Sports & TRC Events & Leisure , offering a winner’s purse of £175,000.
Other National Derbies
Other prominent derbies in the UK include:
- The Scottish Derby: First held at Carntyne, Glasgow in 1928. It was last won on 4th May, 2019 by Braveheart Bobby, trained by Pat Buckley IRE at Shawfield, which is now closed. Other notable Scottish races include the St Mungo Cup and Edinburgh Cup, previously staged at Powderhall Stadium.
- The Welsh Derby: Initially run from 1928 – 1937 at White City, Cardiff and from 1945 – 1977 at Cardiff Arms Park. The event has been moved to ‘The Valley’ at Ystrad Mynach.
- The Trigo Cup, also known as the Ulster Derby: First held at Celtic Park, Belfast in 1929. This event was rejuvenated in 2010 as the Northern Irish Derby based at Drumbo Park.
English Oaks
Alongside the Derby, the English Oaks, a classic race confined to female dogs, first run at White City in 1927, is among the oldest of the classics. The most recent winner, as of 28th October, 2023, was No Rush, trained by Carol Weatherall at Monmore Green. The event took place at Perry Barr and was sponsored by Premier Greyhound Racing, with a first prize of £20,000.
Greyhound St. Leger
The Greyhound St. Leger, the oldest “stayers classic,” was initially run from 1928-1998 at Wembley’s ‘Empire Stadium.’ As of 23rd September, 2023, the recent victor was Droopys Clue, trained at Hove by Seamus Cahill. The race took place at Perry Barr. This year’s event was sponsored by Premier Greyhound Racing, with a winner’s purse of £20,000.
| Race | Venue | Recent Winner | Trainer | Sponsor | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Derby | Towcester | Gaytime Nemo | Graham Holland | Star*Sports & TRC Events & Leisure | £175,000 |
| Scottish Derby | Shawfield (Closed) | Braveheart Bobby | Pat Buckley IRE | – | – |
| Welsh Derby | Ystrad Mynach | – | – | – | – |
| Ulster Derby | Drumbo Park | – | – | – | – |
| English Oaks | Perry Barr | No Rush | Carol Weatherall | Premier Greyhound Racing | £20,000 |
| St. Leger | Perry Barr | Droopys Clue | Seamus Cahill | Premier Greyhound Racing | £20,000 |
This table provides a comprehensive overview of the major greyhound racing events in the UK, their associated venues, most recent winners, trainers, sponsors, and prize winnings.
Other Notable Greyhound Racing Events
This section explores other famous greyhound racing events, including sprint, long-distance, and puppy races held across various venues in the UK.
Sprint Races
Some of the renowned sprint races include:
- All England Cup: Newcastle
- Arc and Produce Stakes: Swindon
- Golden Jacket and Gold Collar: Crayford
- Champion Stakes: Romford
- Regency, Sussex Cup, and Winter Derby: Brighton and Hove
- Kent Derby: Central Park
- Harlow Gold Cup: Harlow
- Henlow Derby: Henlow
- Monmore Gold Cup and Summer Stayers: Monmore Green
- Scurry Gold Cup: Perry Barr
- Pall Mall: Oxford
- Eclipse: Nottingham
- Steel City Cup and British Bred Derby: Sheffield
- Yorkshire St Leger: Doncaster
- East Anglian Derby: Yarmouth
Long-Distance Races
Famous long-distance races include:
- TV Trophy: First inaugurated by the BBC in 1958, this race was won on 15th April, 2023, by Bellmore Sally, trained at Newcastle by Jimmy Wright. The event took place at Crayford.
- Dorando Marathon: Won on 1st July, 2023, for the consecutive year by Space Jet, trained at Oxford by Matt Dartnall. The event was held at Towcester.
- Cesarewitch: Won on 15th January, 2023, by Cochise, trained at Hove by Richard Rees. The race took place at Central Park.
- Boxing Day Marathon: This event was not run in 2022. It’s typically held at Crayford.
Puppy Races
Notable puppy races include:
- English Puppy Derby: Towcester
- Puppy Cup: Romford
- Northern Puppy Derby: Newcastle
- Sussex Puppy Trophy: Hove
- Puppy Stakes: Sheffield
- British Breeders Stakes and Puppy Classic: Nottingham
- Puppy Derby and Trafalgar Cup: Monmore Green
These races showcase a variety of talent in the world of greyhound racing, attracting attention and competition across the UK.
2022 RPGTV / ENTAIN Track Championship
The 2022 RPGTV / ENTAIN Track Championship was won on 16th April, 2022, by defending champions Hove. The event was hosted at Crayford and featured four tracks supplying runners: Crayford, Hove, Monmore, and Romford. Selected winners included:
- 380 Bitches: Luck Box Blue (Jim Reynolds, Crayford) and Pocket Lola (Seamus Cahill, Hove)
- 380 Dogs: Knockard Rory (James Turner, Crayford) and Newinn Tik Tok (Patrick Browne, Hove)
- 540 Pups: Jennifer Anne (Michelle Brown, Romford)
- 540 Bitches: Droopys Garden (Maxine Locke, Romford) and Clairkeith Rosa (Claude Gardiner, Hove)
- 540 Dogs: Seomra Razl (Jason Heath, Hove) and Shelbys Memory (Arun Dunn, Monmore)
- 714: Killeacle Amelia (Gemma Davidson, Crayford) and Slapdash Tommy (Nathan Hunt, Romford)
- 874 Marathon: Burgess Hannah (Anthony Gifkins, Romford)
Greyhound Trainers’ Title
The 2022 Greyhound Trainers’ Title was won for a record 13th time by “champion trainer” Mark Wallis, now attached to Suffolk Downs.
PGR Judgement Night Trainers’ Championship
The top six handlers qualified for the PGR “Judgement Night” Trainers’ Championship (TC), which was held on 6th April, 2023, at Perry Barr. The championship was won by Patrick Janssens. Selected winners included:
- Dash 275m: Gougane Jet (Mark Wallis)
- Puppy 480m: Slick Saratoga (P Janssens)
- 480m Bitches: Fabulous Azzura (P Janssens)
- 480m Dogs: Signet Goofy (John Mullins)
- 480m Maiden: Saffrons Dash (Mark Wallis)
- Stayers 660m: Sleek By Design (Kevin Hutton)
Invitation Races
Other invitational races (IV) include:
- Racing Post Juvenile and Derby Invitation: Towcester
- The Select Stakes and Select Stayers: Nottingham
- East Anglian Derby Invitation: Yarmouth
- Showdown – “swan vesta” Match Racing (M): These are sometimes limited to only two dogs.
These events highlight the best in greyhound racing, showcasing the talents of both dogs and trainers across the UK.
UK Category Two and Three Open Events
This section outlines notable Category Two and Three Open Events in the UK greyhound racing scene. These races are sorted by location, and each of them presents a unique platform for showing off the specialties of the participating dogs and trainers.
Notable Races and Their Locations
Here are some of the famous races categorized by their venues:
- Hove: Brighton Belle and Olympic
- Romford: Coronation Cup, Guys & Dolls, Essex Vase, Doug Tyler Summer Cup, Mitch Milward Marathon, and Rose Bowl
- Central Park: British Bred St Leger and Silver Salver
- Crayford: Kent St Leger and Kent Cesarewitch
- Towcester: Jack Murrell Memorial Trophy, Champion Bitch Stake, Greyhound Stud Book Trophy, and Northamptonshire Sprint
- Monmore: Winter Derby
- Oxford: British Bred Oaks
- Perry Barr: Laurels and Birmingham Cup
- Newcastle: Angel Of The North & Northern Flat
- Sheffield: Yorkshire Oaks and British Bred Derby
- Sunderland: Grand Prix
- Yarmouth: Derby Purse
Minor Opens and Maiden Opens
In addition to these prominent races, there are minor open events (OR), often known as ‘one-offs,’ with prizes of at least £100 for the winner. The term “Maiden Opens” is limited to dogs yet to clinch an Open Race within the given distance, offering young or less-experienced dogs a chance to gain Open Race experience.
Irish Greyhound Racing
Irish Greyhound Racing has a rich history and a structured grading system, making the sport both compelling and comprehensive. The Irish Greyhound Board (IGB) oversees the crucial components of the sport, ensuring that each event and dog is appropriately classified.
Race Grading Bands
The IGB instituted new race grading bands as of 31st March 2014. Specifically, for 525 yard races, the times achieved by the participating dogs determine their respective grading bands. The classifications are as follows:
- Below 28.49 seconds: AAO
- 28.50s – 28.69s: AO
- 28.70s – 28.89s: A1
- 28.90s – 29.19s: A2
- 30.50s – 30.70s: A10
These bands help rank dogs based on their performance timings.
Significant Irish Greyhound Races
The Irish Greyhound racing calendar is filled with high-profile events that attract top-notch talent. The BoyleSports Derby, first run in 1932 at Shelbourne Park, is the most prestigious event with a winner’s purse of €125,000.
Here is a selection of other renowned races held at different venues:
- Shelbourne Park: The Other Kobe winning the BoyleSports Derby, Ion Reilly’s Bogger Hunter clinching The Gold Cup, Graham Holland’s Swords Rex earning the Easter Cup, Champion Stakes won by Trinity Junior (Peter Cronin).
- Limerick: Raha Mofo championing the Limerick Oaks, Liam Dowling’s Kinturk Road fetching the Irish Cambridgeshire.
- Curraheen Park: Maries Wedding seizing the Cork Oaks, High Trend winning the Irish Laurels, Burgess Supreme taking the National Produce Stakes.
- Various Locations: The Cesarewitch won by Bobsleigh Dream at Mullingar, Race Of Champions obtained by Ballinabola Ed at Tralee, and Munster Oaks bagged by Easy Razzle at Waterford.
Invitational Races and Festivals
Invitational races, such as The Select Stakes won by Clona Duke at Waterford, and Dundalk International won by Raha Mofo at Dundalk, pose additional challenges attracting the best talent. There are also Irish-Anglo challenges held at Shelbourne Park.
Festivals of racing are dotted across the calendar and locales such as Clonmel, Cork, Dublin, Enniscorthy, Galway, Kilkenny, Lifford, and Limerick. These offer celebratory atmospheres that match the competitive spirit of the races.
Winter Racing Festival at Shelbourne Park
An annual highlight in the Irish Greyhound racing sphere is the Winter Racing Festival held at Shelbourne Park, which offers various categories, including juvenile and distance races.
Novice Races and Unraced Competitions
In Ireland, puppies embark on their racing careers in Novice grade (N0 – N3). Puppies may also compete in open competitions for unraced greyhounds. The most valuable of these is the Connolly’s Red Mills Unraced at Curraheen Park, featuring a winner’s prize of €16,000. Notably, The Con & Annie Kirby Memorial at Limerick boasts the world’s richest puppy race, offering a first prize of €80,000.
Greyhound Racing Speeds
Greyhound racing, renowned for its high-speed excitement, is a global phenomenon. Professional greyhounds can reach speeds close to 40 mph (64.37 kph) under ideal racing conditions. These top speeds are generally achieved on first-rate “galloping tracks” that feature broad circumferences, long racing straights, and sweeping cambered bends.
Racing Records and Top Averages
The record for the fastest 515 metres belongs to an Australian dog named “Brett Lee,” who achieved an average speed of 39.89 mph (64.20 kph) in Adelaide Cup held at Angle Park, South Australia, on the 25th of January 2001. Brett Lee’s record-breaking time of 28.88 seconds is hailed as the quickest in history over this distance.
Conversely, the UK record over 515 metres is held by “Barnfield On Air,” also known as “brilliant Barney.” Achieving an average speed of 39.45 mph (63.49 kph), this greyhound posted a time of 29.20 seconds in the Sussex Cup at the Brighton & Hove greyhound stadium on July 31, 2007.
It’s worth noting that the fastest time achieved by a female greyhound, in the UK, stands at 29.54 seconds; it was set by “Bridge Ruth” in the 2013 Brighton Belle race.
English Greyhound Derby Records
In the English Greyhound Derby, the 500-meter distance record was recently broken by “King Memphis,” hitting 39.02 mph (62.81 kph) and recording the fastest time of 28.66 seconds at a semi-final held at Central Park in 2023.
The previous best during the English Derby was set by “Clona Duke” with a time of 28.69 seconds. Set in the StarSports/TRC Derby semi-final, this time equates to a speed of 38.94 mph (62.67 kph).
Moreover, the fastest time performed by a female greyhound in the English Derby was 29.27 seconds (38.21 mph or 61.50 kph), achieved by “Queen Beyonce.”
Milestone Records in England and Scotland
Several other significant records have been set on different tracks:
- English National 480 metre record: Achieved by Roxholme Kristof, it stands at 27.27 seconds, at an average speed of 39.38 mph (63.37 kph) in the Gain Nutrition 3 Steps To Victory 1st round heat at Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield.
- Scottish Derby 480 metre record: This record sits at 28.55 seconds, clocked by Droopys Buick during a semi-final at Shawfield. Despite the swift time, the average speed is comparatively low at 37.61 mph (60.52 kph).
These records reflect the high speeds that execptional greyhounds can attain and offer benchmarks for the sport’s future stars.
Greyhound Racing Records in Select Nations
Irish Greyhound Derby Records
The Irish Derby, held at Shelbourne Park on a track of 425 yards circumference, has seen several record-breaking performances.
- Record-breaking run by Pestana (2020): On 22nd August 2020, Pestana, trained by Owen McKenna (IRE), posted a time of 28.99 seconds in the 2020 BoyleSports Derby 2nd round. The achieved speed was 38.81 mph / 62.46 kph. This incredible performance broke the former track’s record of 29.10 seconds held by Tyrur Van Gaal, trained by PJ Fahy, and beat the Irish National 550 yard distance record of 29.07 seconds formerly held by Killmacdonagh, trained by Kieran Lynch. Pestana became the first greyhound in history to dip under 29.00 seconds for the derby trip.
- Fastest Female Greyhound: The fastest time by a female greyhound, i.e., bitch, is 29.12 seconds, set on 21st July 2019 by Ballymac Arminta, trained by Liam Dowling, in the semi-final of the BoyleSports Champion Stakes.
The year 2023 saw some impressive history-making feats:
- The Other Kobe’s Unprecedented Run: The 2023 Irish Derby winner The Other Kobe, trained by Jennifer O’Donnell, recorded the fastest ever split-time clocking to the third bend of 16.85 seconds and achieved a finishing time of 29.11 seconds for the 550-yard trip. This performance became the quickest run in a modern-day final, surpassing Susie Saphire’s previous best of 29.18 seconds.
- Classic Double Winner: In 2021, Derby winner Susie Sapphire, trained by Owen McKenna for owner Peter Comerford, was the first bitch to win since Spring Time in 1999 and completed the ‘classic double’ by winning both the Derby & Oaks in the same year.
Irish Records Over 525 Yards
Several scintillating performances have been recorded over the 525 yards distance:
- Fastest Run (Male): The fastest recorded run over this distance was achieved by Paradise Madison, trained by Oliver Bray in County Meath. This happened on 8th December 2012 during the first semi-final of the Comerford Cakes National Puppy Stake held at Shelbourne Park, clocking an impressive 27.67 seconds (38.81 mph / 62.46 kph).
- Fastest Run (Female): The fastest female record over this distance stands at 27.70 seconds (38.77 mph / 62.39 kph) set on 25th May 2019 by Ballymac Arminta, trained by Liam Dowling, during the 2019 Sporting Press Irish Oaks.
- Once Record Holder: The record was once held by Catunda Harry, trained by Owen McKenna, who became the first dog to break 28.00 seconds on an Irish track. This achievement happened on 17th June 2007, where a record of 27.99 seconds was set during a heat of the Ballygodoon Stud Puppy Stakes run at the old ‘Market Fields’ track at Limerick.
Northern Irish Record Over 525 Yards
The Northern Irish 525 yards record is gauged during prestigious tournaments:
- Record Holder: Currently, the record is 27.88 seconds (38.52 mph / 61.99 kph), set by Leeveiw Jet, trained by Graham Holland, during the Tennants Gold Cup at Drumbo Park (DBP).
Australian Greyhound Records
Australia boasts some remarkable greyhound racing records:
- World Record Speed: At Capalaba in Brisbane, Upper Class Lad, trained by John Catton (Mount Cotton), running in the Michael Miller Memorial Cup on 3rd October 2015 over a straight grass track, recorded a time of 19.28 seconds for 366m / 400y. With an average speed of 42.46 mph / 68.34 kph, this performance is claimed to be a WORLD RECORD SPEED.
- Hi-tech Speed Test Revelations: Speed tests conducted by Towcester Racecourse using a high-tech transponder system taken from dogs competing in the 2017 English Derby interestingly revealed split-second acceleration speeds approaching 50 mph / 80.47 kph.
These records highlight the prowess of greyhounds as racing athletes, setting benchmarks in the sporting world for the breed.
Hurdle Racing in Greyhound Sports
Hurdle racing is a distinct type of greyhound racing that requires dogs to jump over hurdles placed strategically on the track. This variation adds an extra challenge to traditional races, showcasing the agility and prowess of the competing dogs.
History and Notable Races
Hurdle racing has a storied history and includes many notable events:
- First Hurdles Race in England: Taking place at Belle Vue, Manchester, at its opening meeting on 24th July 1926, and won by Melksham Autocrat.
- Grand National: The most famous hurdle race, the Grand National saw its first winner, Bobbing Gnavatar, trained by Barry O’Sullivan (Crayford), conquer the race on 26th December 1922. The Grand National was first run at White City in 1928.
UK Category One Races
Many UK Category One races feature hurdle racing events:
- Springbok: Won on 29th July 2023 by Droopys Chaser, trained at Romford by Paul Young (Hove).
- Champion Hurdle: The oldest of the ‘hurdle classics,’ this race was first run at White City, London in 1927. Lenson Doolin, trained by Ricky Holloway (Crayford), won on 15th April 2023.
Please Note: The 2023 Springbok was run that year at Brighton & Hove, while both the Grand National and Champion Hurdle are now held at Crayford.
Other Hurdle Racing Events:
- Jimmy Jupp Hurdle (Hove)
- Kent County Hurdle (Central Park)
- Boxing Day Chase (Central Park)
- Golden Jacket Hurdle (Crayford)
- Chief Ramsbottom Hurdle (Crayford)
- Dual Distance Hurdle (Crayford)
- Kent National Hurdle (Crayford)
- Jay & Kay Tours Kent Champion Hurdle (Crayford)
- Kent St Leger Hurdle (Crayford)
- Champions Night Hurdle (Romford)
- Roger Kent Barton Triumph Hurdle (Romford)
- RPGTV Supreme Hurdle (Towcester)
Hurdle Racing and Training Techniques
Greyhounds are sometimes given a ‘hurdle handslip’ and released along the straights to familiarize them with hurdling gradually. Returning a dog that has raced in hurdles or a schooling trial to a flat race is generally considered favorable, as hurdling can help sharpen their focus and race mindset.
Notable Achievements
Cornamaddy Jumbo, trained at Yarmouth by Mark Wallis, was voted “2014 hurdler & greyhound of the year” when becoming the first dog to complete the “English triple crown” by winning all three Category One races – the Springbok, Grand National, and Champion Hurdle – in a single year.
Graded Racing in Greyhound Sports
Graded Racing is a classification system in greyhound racing that primarily categorizes racing events based on the relative skill levels of the racing dogs. This majority of dog races globally are referred to as ‘Graded Races’ (GR’s), where dogs are graded into different groups based on speed, experience, and performance.
U.K. Graded Races
In the U.K., Graded Races are categorized into various grades, as outlined below:
Top Grade (A1 – A3): These races involve the highest tier of racing greyhounds. Equivalents in other countries include the American greyhound grades (A, B) and Australian grades (1, 2). The very best ‘top graders’ may also compete in major events, averaging speeds around 38-39 mph on tracks.
Middle Grade (A4 – A6): Comparable to American grades (C, D) and Australian grades (3, 3/4, 4), greyhounds in these events record average speeds between 37-38 mph. ‘Graded runners’ at the best city tracks could equal A1 dogs running at lesser, country tracks.
Low Grade (A7 – A11): Comparable to American grades (E, F and Maidens) and Australian grades (4/5, 5 and Maidens), these races typically involve greyhounds beginning or finishing their racing careers, recording average racing speeds between 35-37 mph.
B Grade (B1 – B6): This grade indicates a slightly shorter or longer standard distance compared to the A grades.
A greyhound’s grade is fundamental in anticipating the expected level of performance, indicating the overall race standard. A dog’s grade usually mirrors its past performances relative to its previously recorded race times.
Frequency of Graded Races
‘Graders’ — those dogs running in graded races — typically race once a week, though twice is not uncommon. However, over-raced dogs can often see a decline in their racing form and might require a rest period. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), in their Greyhound Commitment strategy introduced in 2018, established Rule 147. This rule permits a greyhound to race once over a four-day period, with a maximum of six races or trials within any 28-day period.
In 2023, the GBGB announced that “Emotional Time”, trained at Monmore Green by Gary Griffiths and owned by Mark Hampson, won the “2022 ARC Graded Greyhound of the Year” title. Emotional Time won 10 races from 26 starts, with four consecutive wins in December, progressing from A8 to A2 grade.
Puppy and Veteran Races
Puppy and Veteran races use a standard prefix: (P) for Puppy and (V) for Veteran. These categories allow for differentiated races based on the age and experience of the racing dogs.
Other Racing Grades
Several other types of racing grade events take place, including Kennel Championships (KC), Kennel Sweepstakes (KS), Intertrack Racing (IT), and Handicap Racing (Hcp). Quickstakes (QS), previously held but outlawed now, would have 2 or 3 semi-finals with the final run at the same meeting.
Greyhound racing enthusiasts often face the dilemma of whether to back a more talented dog ‘lowered in class’ running below par or a less skilled dog ‘raised in class’ running well. Predicting winners in Graded Races (GR’s) is generally more challenging than in Open Races (OR), as graded races are usually closely matched with only minor differences in time among runners.
