GreyhoundRacingResults.com.auEnglish Greyhound Derby
Category 1 · Towcester Racecourse · United Kingdom · 500m · June (six-round festival) · £125,000–£175,000 to the winner
About the English Greyhound Derby
First run in 1927 at White City in front of enormous crowds, the English Greyhound Derby is the most famous race in the sport, won over the years by legends including Mick the Miller, who took the 1929 and 1930 editions. After 31 years at Wimbledon the Derby moved to Towcester in 2017 (with a brief 2019–20 stint at Nottingham) and now unfolds as a six-round festival each June, with roughly 170 entries whittled down to a six-dog final over 500 metres. Four dogs have won it twice: Mick the Miller (1929–30), Patricias Hope (1972–73), Rapid Ranger (2000–01) and Westmead Hawk (2005–06). Irish-trained dogs have dominated the modern era — De Lahdedah equalled the Towcester track record of 28.58 in winning the 2024 final — but 2025 saw Britain strike back when 10/1 shot Droopys Plunge, trained by Patrick Janssens, denied hot favourite Bockos Diamond in 28.76.
Recent winners
- 2025 — Droopys Plunge: 10/1 winner in 28.76 for trainer Patrick Janssens, beating 11/10 favourite Bockos Diamond
- 2024 — De Lahdedah: Equalled the Towcester track record of 28.58 for trainer Liam Dowling
- 2023 — Gaytime Nemo: Second straight Derby for trainer Graham Holland
How to punt the English Greyhound Derby
The Derby is a punter's graveyard for favourite-backers: only two favourites have won in the last sixteen years, and seven of the last thirteen finals went to dogs at 5/1 or bigger. The six-round format rewards peaking campaigns — watch the qualifying trials and early rounds for sectionals rather than raw results. Irish open-class form (Shelbourne Park, Limerick) translates strongly to Towcester, and defending champions have a poor record of repeating, so temper enthusiasm for short-priced reigning winners.
Towcester Racecourse track profile · Latest Towcester Racecourse results
More Category 1 races
- Greyhound St Leger — Dunstall Park (from 2026; Nottingham 2025), United Kingdom
- Sussex Cup — Brighton & Hove Stadium, United Kingdom
- Kirby Memorial Stakes — Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Ireland
- Irish Laurels — Curraheen Park (Cork), Ireland
- East Anglian Derby — Yarmouth Stadium, United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Where is the English Greyhound Derby held?
The English Greyhound Derby is held at Towcester Racecourse in Northamptonshire, a 500-metre sand circuit. It moved there in 2017 after 31 years at Wimbledon, with a brief stint at Nottingham in 2019–20.
Who won the 2025 English Greyhound Derby?
Droopys Plunge, trained by Patrick Janssens, won the 2025 English Greyhound Derby at odds of 10/1 in 28.76 seconds, denying the heavily backed Irish champion Bockos Diamond.
Which greyhound has won the Derby twice?
Four greyhounds have won the English Derby twice: Mick the Miller (1929, 1930), Patricias Hope (1972, 1973), Rapid Ranger (2000, 2001) and Westmead Hawk (2005, 2006). No dog has achieved the double since.
How much does the English Derby winner get?
The winner's prize has been £175,000 in recent renewals, with the 2026 edition set at £125,000 plus sponsorship support.