Puppy Derby (Towcester greyhound race) explained

Surface:Sand
Class:Category 1
Horse Race:Puppy Derby
Location:Towcester Greyhound Stadium
Inaugurated:1929
Sponsor:Racing Post GTV
Distance:500 metres
Qualification:Puppies only
(15-24 months old)
Purse:£10,000

The Puppy Derby is a British greyhound competition held at Towcester Greyhound Stadium.[1]

The event was held at Wimbledon Stadium from 1929 to 2016,[2] [3] until the closure of the stadium in 2017.

Other Puppy Derby races have been created by other race tracks including the Midland Puppy Derby and despite some of these races matching or surpassing the original Puppy Derby for prize money at certain times they do not carry the same prestige.[4]

In 2017 the race switched from Wimbledon and the GRA to Towcester and the prize money increased to £20,000 to the winner, bringing the race back to its former glory[5] [6] When it switched to Towcester in 2017 it was only held for one year because the track closed and the event was switched to Henlow. It then reverted to sister track Towcester in 2020, when it re-opened under promoter Kevin Boothby. The 2022 edition was not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling.

Venue & Distances

Winning Trainers

Past winners

[7]

width=50Yearwidth=200Winnerwidth=300Breedingwidth=250Trainerwidth=80Timewidth=50SPwidth=100Notes
1929So Green Running Rein - SalsetteJim Syder Sr. (Wembley) 30.73 sec 4/6f
1930Mountain Loafer Loafer - Mountain GiftPaddy McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 30.00 sec 4/6f
1931Lavaka Loafer - RosinaJerry Hannafin (Wimbledon) 30.00 sec 2/1
1932Mikado Beauty Hertford - Little Fawn BiddyJim Syder Sr. (Wembley) 29.81 sec 4/9f
1933Denham Robin Deemster - BeauvallonMrs E.G.Westley (Private) 29.31 sec 4/5f
1934Tosto Border Line - Ranting RhymeSidney Orton (Wimbledon) 28.87 sec 5/2dead-heat
1934Maidens Delight Maiden's Boy - Springfield SalMiss Young (Private) 28.87 sec 11/10fdead-heat
1935Flying Joule Silver Seal - Hidden PrideMarjorie Yate (Private) 29.26 sec 1/1f
1936Berwick Law Future Cutlet - Lily BellLes Parry (Powderhall) 29.63 sec 100/8
1937Junior Classic Beef Cutlet - Lady EleanorJoe Harmon (Wimbledon) 28.86 sec 4/6f
1938Grosvenor Ferdinand Golden Hammer - Wonderful ExpressionF.S.Rolfe (Private) 29.04 sec 10/1
1939Keel Border Creamery Border - Keel RubyJoe Harmon (Wimbledon) 29.08 sec 11/8f
1940Grosvenor Flexion Wily Captain - Cook StreetJoe Harmon (Wimbledon) 29.45 sec 5/4f
1941Laughing Lieutenant Beef Cutlet - Maid Of TenbyBert Heyes (White City) 29.41 sec 1/1f
1942Clows Top J.H. - ChancefulSid Jennings (Wembley) 28.99 sec 6/1
1943Allardstown Playboy Strong Mutton - Lazy GirlStanley Biss (Private) 29.32 sec 9/4
1944Prancing Kitty Tanist - Be Careful KittyBill Weaver (Catford) 29.20 sec 2/1
1945Lee Ripple Tiro - Dame Of The HouseStanley Biss (Clapton) 28.81 sec 11/4
1946Castletown Tiptoes [8] Castledown Lad - HotcapSidney Orton (Wimbledon) 29.20 sec 2/1f
1947Mad Birthday Mad Tanist - Bella's BloomStanley Biss (Clapton) 28.56 sec 2/5f
1948Saft Alex Mad Tanist - Fair LightJack Toseland (Perry Barr) 28.72 sec 11/10
1949Ballycurreen Garrett Ballycurreen Duke - Ballymakeera KeeperJack Harvey (Wembley) 29.21 sec 6/1
1950Rushton Smutty [9] Mad Tanist - Summer FrockJack Harvey (Wembley) 28.96 sec 4/7f
1951Moreton Ann Grand Hussar - Moreton LilyJack Harvey (Wembley) 28.59 sec 6/1
1952Lizette Master Captain - Dorothy AnnPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 28.75 sec 7/1
1953Lancelot Rough Billie - Gay SerenadePaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 28.96 sec 1/2f
1954Gulf of Darien Imperial Dancer - Dorothy AnnJack Harvey (Wembley) 28.31 sec 5/4f
1955Glacier Metal Ballymac Ball - Cloudy MidnightPaddy Fortune (Wimbledon) 28.74 sec 10/1
1956Ford Spartan Polonius - Harrow GlamourDennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) 28.02 sec 2/1f
1957Sean's Pal The Grand Champion - Grangeclare LadyTom'Paddy'Reilly (Walthamstow) 28.21 sec 13/2
1958Varra Black Nose Glittering Look - Typhoon JaneDennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) 28.08 sec 8/13f
1959Violet's Duke Champion Prince - Autumn VioletBarney O'Connor (Walthamstow) 28.04 sec 3/1
1960Oregon Prince Knock Hill Chieftain - Burleigh's FancyPhil Rees Sr. (Private) 28.59 sec 6/5f
1961Dancing Point Sword Dance - Irish SunshineClare Orton (Wimbledon) 28.35 sec 1/1f
1962Cloudbank Knock Hill Chieftain - Direct LeadDave Geggus (Walthamstow) 27.96 sec 2/5f
1963Pineapple Joe Clopook - Sight UnseenDennis Hannafin (Wimbledon) 27.95 sec 1/1f
1964Bad Trick Tuturama - Nifty LadyGeorge Curtis (Portsmouth) 28.46 sec 2/1f
1965Morden Mist Super Orange - Denver HettyClare Orton (Wimbledon) 28.27 sec 11/4f
1966Wattlehurst Rogue Wattlehurst Rocket - Charity BallJimmy Jowett (Clapton) 28.58 sec 5/2
1967Breach's Bill Jerpoint Prince - Breach's RainbowJudy Pattinson (Private) 28.10 sec 5/4f
1968Winter Hope Newdown Heather - Final ScoreDes Dare (Private) 28.53 sec 4/7f
1969Sherwood Glen Maryville Hi - Bresheen UmmJoe Booth (Private) 28.27 sec 100/30
1970Crefogue Flash Newdown Heather - Duffry FlashStan Mitchell (Belle Vue) 27.99 sec 5/2
1971Tawny Satin The Grand Silver - Cathy's TinyTom Johnston Jr. (Wembley) 28.22 sec 9/2
1972Seaman's Pride Own Pride - Stolen TilleyPaddy Milligan (Private) 27.78 sec 5/2f
1973Handy High Handy Valley - Black HighbirdPaddy Milligan (Private) 28.17 sec 4/5f
1974Tory Mor Tom's Pal - Melville HoneyPaddy Milligan (Private) 28.40 sec 3/1
1975Knockrour Bank Clomoney Jet - Damsels LassJohn Coleman (Wembley) 27.72 sec 11/10f
1976Cahurmore Speech Free Speech - Pat's GloryLen White (Private) 28.17 sec 1/2f
1977Ruakura's Mutt Spectre - AreopagusCharlie Coyle (Private) 27.65 sec 9/4
1978Purdy's Pursuit Aghawadda Flash - Exchange DollyPhil Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 27.83 sec 20/1
1979Price Wise Free Speech - Take The LeadFrank Baldwin (Perry Barr) 27.70 sec 12/1
1980Desmond's Fancy Sole Aim - Blissful LindaJack Coker (Oxford) 28.22 sec 7/1
1981Special Account Westmead County - Ka BoomNatalie Savva (Cambridge) 27.79 sec 7/2
1982Mountleader Mint Cairnville Jet - Mountleader CleoTerry Duggan (Romford) 27.82 sec 2/1f
1983Rhincrew Moth Ballarat Prince - Skipping FunDolly Gwynne (Ipswich) 27.53 sec 1/3f
1984Ben's Champion Lacca Champion - Raffles BridgeEric Pateman (Wimbledon) 27.61 sec 4/6f
1985Fearless Swift Ron Hardy - Sarahs BunnyGeoff De Mulder (Oxford) 27.67 sec 4/5f
1986Spiral Darkie Lindas Champion - Spiral ThreeGary Baggs (Ramsgate) 27.70 sec 9/2
1987Debby Hero Debbycot Lad - KiscoDavid Kinchett (Wimbledon) 27.99 sec 12/1
1988Spring Band Wise Band - Gentle HeartrobSam Sykes (Wimbledon) 28.13 sec 3/1
1989Newry Flash Oran Flash - Townview FuzzArthur Hitch (Wimbledon) 27.97 sec 4/1
1990Murlens Support Moral Support - Murlens ChillTony Meek (Oxford) 28.50 sec 1/2f
1991Right Move Daleys Gold - Westmead MoveNick Savva (Milton Keynes) 28.25 sec 14/1
1992Bixby Murlens Slippy - SkylabBill Black (Reading) 28.04 sec 7/2
1993Lughill Slippy I'm Slippy - Lady SerinaTony Meek (Oxford) 27.99 sec 11/4
1994Bonmahon Darkie[10] Carmels Prince - Debs TickTerry Dartnall (Wimbledon) 27.70 sec 2/1f
1995Corpo Election Tapwatcher - No ThanksWayne Wilson (Sittingbourne) 27.56 sec 1/4f
1996Black Gem Charm Slaneyside Hare - Perrys CharmerPhilip Rees Jr. (Wimbledon) 27.74 sec 7/1
1997Lenson Hero Right Move - New BranchNorah McEllistrim (Wimbledon) 27.97 sec 5/1
1998Sarah Dee Arrigle Buddy - Castlegannon PopNick Savva (Milton Keynes) 27.73 sec 11/8f
1999Micks Lotto Mountleader Peer - Tracys LadyPatsy Byrne (Wimbledon) 27.49 sec 2/7f
2000Navigation Lad Lassa Java - Suirside LassPat McComish (Private) 27.69 sec 6/4jf
2001Bringinthemoney Powerful Flash - Locgaram KitPat Thompson (Crayford) 28.00 sec 25/1
2002On Line Deal Staplers Jo - Lady BallydanielPaul Young (Romford) 27.96 sec 5/1
2003Kinda Spooky Top Honcho - Kinda SwellLinda Jones (Walthamstow) 27.51 sec 8/1
2004Olybean Kiowa Shawnee So - JabilishErnie Gaskin Sr. (Walthamstow) 27.47 sec 11/10f
2005Droopys Lomasi [11] Knockeevan Major - Droopys BeautySteve Dimmock (Milton Keynes) 27.79 sec 12/1
2006Droopys Tops [12] Blackjack Tom - Macy GrayChris Lund (Doncaster) 27.57 sec 3/1
2007Opening Artist [13] Droopys Scolari - Droopys DarleneBernie Doyle (Wimbledon) 27.80 sec 9/2
2008Jesters Nap [14] Droopys Vieri - Star TimeJim Daly (Yarmouth) 27.55 sec 11/10f
2009Westmead Logan [15] Droopys Vieri – Westmead SwiftNick Savva (Private) 27.33 sec 5/1
2010Rayvin Giovanni [16] Blackstone Gene – Droopys SportySeamus Cahill (Hove) 28.36 sec 11/8f
2011Eden Star [17] Top Savings – Aranock ValBarrie Draper (Sheffield) 28.51 sec 8/13f
2012Farloe Warhawk [18] Ace Hi Rumble - WontbelongBarrie Draper (Sheffield) 28.32 sec 1/1f
2013Bubbly Beauty [19] College Causeway – Lees LegendPaul Young (Romford) 28.64 sec 7/1
2014Lenson Sanchez [20] Tullymurry Act – Beaming OlivePat Buckley (Ireland) 28.59 sec 5/4f
2015Droopys Roddick [21] Droopys Jet – Droopys StartPat Buckley (Ireland) 27.97 sec 2/5f
2016King Eden [22] Droopys Scolari – Shaws DilemmaLiz McNair (Private) 28.46 sec 20/1
2017Magical Bale [23] Zero Ten - Sizzling Sarah 29.10 sec 11/10f
2018Argentina [24] Tyrur Big Mike - Headford Maura 27.50 sec 4/1
2019Bockos Doomie[25] Droopys Jet – Dalcash Kalade Patrick Janssens (Central Park) 27.24 sec 11/10f
2020Surprising[26] Droopys Sydney – BanabaneSeamus Cahill (Hove)29.35 sec 11/4cf
2021Make Noise[27] Confident Rankin – TibetSeamus Cahill (Hove)29.71 sec15/8
2022not held due to problems with the weather and rescheduling.
2023King Memphis[28] Droopys Sydney – Queen BeyonceLiz McNair (Private)28.82 sec6/4

Sponsors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Open races. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  2. Book: Barnes, Julia. Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File, pages 147-148. 1988. Ringpress Books. 0-948955-15-5.
  3. Web site: Home . thedogs.co.uk.
  4. Book: Genders, Roy. The Encyclopedia of Greyhound Racing. 1981. Pelham Books Ltd. 07207-1106-1.
  5. Web site: Wimbledon to close. 16 October 2016. Greyhound Star.
  6. Web site: 2017 ECC TIMBER PUPPY DERBY. Towcester Stadium.
  7. Book: Hobbs, Jonathan. Greyhound Annual 2008, pages 149-151. 2007. Raceform. 978-1-905153-53-4.
  8. Web site: Greyhound Star (Remember When December). 20 December 2018. Greyhound Star.
  9. Web site: Remember When - August. 2018. Greyhound Star.
  10. Book: Fry, Paul. The Official NGRC Greyhound Racing Yearbook. 1995. 31. Ringpress Books. 186054-010-4.
  11. Web site: 2005 William Hill Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  12. Web site: William Hill Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  13. Web site: Holsten Pils Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  14. Web site: Stan James Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  15. Web site: Stan James Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  16. Web site: 2010 Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  17. Web site: 2011 Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  18. Web site: 2012 Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  19. Web site: 2013 RFS Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  20. Web site: 2014 RFS Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  21. Web site: 2015 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  22. Web site: 2016 Result. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  23. Web site: 2017 final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  24. Web site: English Puppy Derby. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  25. Web site: 2019 Henlow Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain.
  26. Web site: 2020 Surprising . Greyhound Board of Great Britain . 18 December 2020.
  27. Web site: RPGTV English Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 20 December 2021.
  28. Web site: RPGTV English Puppy Derby final. Greyhound Board of Great Britain. 20 December 2021.