The 2024 Greyhound Derby: Everything You Need To Know About The Race

The 2024 Greyhound Derby: Everything You Need To Know About The Race

The countdown is on to the 2024 Greyhound Derby, the biggest and most lucrative event in the sport of greyhound racing. The annual competition sees the leading greyhounds from the UK and Ireland compete over a series of rounds to land the first prize.
Here is a look at this year’s competition and some facts you may not already know about the race.
Towcester: Home of the English Classic
Towcester became the latest home of the Greyhound Derby in 2017, taking over from Wimbledon, who has held the event since 1985. The new competition will begin at the Northamptonshire venue in May. King Memphis is the 14/1 favourite in the greyhounds racing betting to prevail.
In total, there are six rounds to the Greyhound Derby (first round, second round, third round, quarter-final, semi-finals, and final). Greyhounds advance through to the next round by finishing in the qualifying places, often the first two places. The winner is the greyhound that comes home in first place in the final.


Last year’s competition was won by Gaytime Nemo who prevailed in the final with a time of 28.89. He had success over Trap Two for trainer Graham Holland. It was the second straight year that the Irishman had won the race, as he also lifted the trophy in 2022 with Romeo Magico.
Irish Greyhounds Have a Great Record
The battle between the British and Irish greyhounds in the competition is one of the angles that makes it so fascinating. Ireland have won that battle in recent years, as they have been victorious in four of the last five renewals.
Priceless Blake gave trainer Paul Hennessy victory in 2019. 12 months later, Deerjet Sydney scored for Pat Buckley, while in the last two years, Holland has celebrated success with back-to-back wins.
Ireland are expected to send across a strong team of runners this year as they look to continue their excellent record. Irish greyhounds have enjoyed running at Towcester, as the track is very similar to the likes of Shelbourne Park and Dundalk in Ireland.
Multiple Winners


Four greyhounds have won the Greyhound Derby on two occasions. The first to do so was Mick The Miller, arguably the most greyhound the sport has ever produced. He was victorious in 1929 and 1930.
The wait for another multiple Greyhound Derby winner went on until 1973 when Patricias Hope defended his crown at White City. He was also successful in the Scottish and Welsh Derby in an impressive career.
More recently, Rapid Ranger added his name to the history books when he won his second English Derby in 2001. In 2006, Westmead Hawk, one of the greatest greyhounds in history, defended his crown. He has since produced two Greyhound Derby winners with his offspring, with Taylors Sky (2011) and Sidaz Jack (2013).
The opening round of the 2024 Greyhound Derby takes place on the 23rd of May, with the final scheduled for the 29th of June.