'Custodian' Boothby keen on retaining Cat One races
Oxford and Suffolk Downs promoter responds over Maiden Derby and English Puppy Derby furore
Boothby determined to keep stewardship of major events
Oxford and Suffolk Downs promoter Kevin Boothby remains determined to keep hold of both the English Puppy Derby and Maiden Derby, which he oversaw at Towcester, and does not anticipate a tug-of-war with the Northamptonshire track over the two events.
Towcester CEO Richard Thomas last week expressed his disappointment at the home of the English Derby not being granted a request to stage the Maiden Derby, which will be held at Oxford in 2026, and also expressed the track’s keenness to host the English Puppy Derby next year.
The competition has yet to be allocated and was missing in the list of Category One and Two events for 2026 published by the GBGB on Friday.
Boothby said: “As Richard (Thomas, Towcester CEO) has stated, the KAB Maiden Derby, which is sponsored in my name, and the English Puppy Derby both started at Henlow and then moved to its sister track Towcester.
“He is also correct they are now established events under my stewardship. I am honoured to be the custodian of both events.
“The Maiden Derby was originally printed in error as being at Towcester for 2026 in the Calendar on Friday and was quickly rectified by the GBGB when spotted.
“We have given clear and historical reasons to the GBGB as to why the English Puppy Derby should be allowed to move to Oxford. These were conveyed to Towcester.
“Historically events move between groups and the same promoter - the most recent being the St Leger from Wimbledon to Perry Barry under the GRA banner. That event subsequently moved to Arc who’ve moved it to Dunstall Park.
“As for the 2025 event not being run, we fully intended to run the competition until we belatedly became aware the final date had been moved without any authorisation from myself.
“We look forward to hearing from the GBGB who have been most helpful in enabling us to move the bet365 Puppy Oaks from Towcester to Oxford smoothly.
“Entries for this Category One event close on Wednesday, with the final on Sunday, December 28.”
