Category One action at Romford: Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes

Category One action at Romford: 2025 PGR Champion Stakes 

The Champion Stakes stands as one of the crown jewels in British greyhound racing, a test of speed and stamina, run over the six-bend 575-meter trip at the London Road venue Romford.

Held annually at Romford Greyhound Stadium, the Category One competition has a first prize of £20,000.

Premier Greyhound Racing Champion Stakes — key dates and information:

· Final date: October 17, 2025

· Venue: Romford Greyhound Stadium

· Distance: 575 meters

· Prize: £20,000 to the winner

· Sponsor: Premier Greyhound Racing

The competition's heritage begins not at Romford, but at the iconic Wimbledon Stadium, where it was inaugurated in 1929. Previous sponsors include Tony Morris, Coral with Premier Greyhound Racing taking over from 2021. 

Romford's intervention in 1988 marked a triumphant resurrection of the Champion Stakes with the event not held between 1974 and 1987. The return of the competition transformed the Champion Stakes into a cornerstone of greyhound racing calendar. Reviving the Champion Stakes aligned perfectly with Romford's boom, alongside the Coronation Cup and Golden Sprint. This revival not only preserved a historic title but elevated Romford as one of the premier destinations in greyhound racing, drawing elite fields and crowds to the London Road venue. 

Over the decades, the Champion Stakes has produced a number of memorable winners, each etching their name into racing history. Mark Wallis has an excellent record in the competition with four of the last ten winners. Patchys Kerry took the Category One prize in 2015 at 7s with Bombers Bullet lifting the trophy in 2018 at 5/2. Aayamza Express won the following year as the 6/4 favourite with New Destiny taking the honours last year, starting as the 10/11 favourite in the final.

Aayamza Express - Champion Stakes presentation. Romford 6th September 2019. Photo: © Steve Nash

As the 2025 renewal looms, the Category One Champion Stakes remains as one of the leading moments in the racing calendar, with familiar names lining up against some that will be stepping up in trip. All eyes will be on Romford for this test of speed and stamina. 

Ante post betting will be available with all the major firms next week once entries close on Monday, September 29 at 12pm. The first-round heats of the PGR Champion Stakes will take place at Romford on Friday, October 4.

Ticket and restaurant information can be found - HERE